"We speculate as to what is in store for us. But we not only undergo events, we in part cause them or at least influence their course. We have not only to study them but to act"

This quote by Emily Greene Balch speaks with the idea that we are not merely passive observers of our lives, but rather active individuals in cases shape our lives. We can speculate about what the future holds, but we likewise have the power to influence the course of occasions. We need to not only observe and study the events that occur in our lives, but likewise do something about it to shape them. This quote encourages us to take ownership of our lives and to be proactive in creating the future we desire. It reminds us that we have the power to shape our lives and that our actions can have a positive influence on our future.