"All progress is based upon a universal innate desire on the part of every organism to live beyond its income"
- Samuel Butler
About this Quote
This quote by Samuel Butler speaks to the idea that all progress is driven by a basic desire to accomplish more than what is currently offered. This innate desire is universal, suggesting that it is shared by all living organisms. It is this desire that presses us to pursue more, to work harder, and to innovate. It is this desire that has driven the development of mankind throughout history. We have actually sought to enhance our lives and the lives of those around us, and this has actually been enabled by our collective desire to live beyond our ways. This quote functions as a pointer that progress is not just possible, but it is also driven by our own ambition and decision.
"In my case Pilgrim's Progress consisted in my having to climb down a thousand ladders until I could reach out my hand to the little clod of earth that I am"