"The real movement of history, it turns out, is fueled not by matter but by spirit, by the will to freedom"
- Gertrude Himmelfarb
About this Quote
This quote by Gertrude Himmelfarb suggests that the true driving force of history is not physical matter, however rather the spirit and the will to flexibility. This implies that the actions of individuals, and the collective will of a people, are what really shape the course of history. It recommends that the choices and actions of people, motivated by their desire for flexibility, are what eventually figure out the instructions of history. This idea is in contrast to the idea that history is identified by physical forces, such as the laws of nature or the actions of effective leaders. Instead, Himmelfarb recommends that it is the collective will of individuals that is the true driving force of history. This idea is an essential reminder that people have the power to shape the course of history, which the will to flexibility is an effective force that can produce positive modification.
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