11 Quotes & Sayings By Arnold J Toynbee

Arnold Joseph Toynbee (1889-1975) was an English historian whose research spanned almost all of recorded human history, from ancient Egypt to the present. He is most famous for his twelve-volume A Study of History. His research covered thousands of topics, with an emphasis on history's patterns of social development and its interaction with religion, philosophy, technology, and the arts. He also lectured widely on his work in both England and the United States Read more

1
Enthusiasm can only be aroused by two things: first an ideal which takes the imagination by storm and sec ond a definite intelligible plan for carrying that ideal into practice. Arnold J. Toynbee
2
Anxiety and conscience are a powerful pair of dynamos. Between them they have ensured that I shall work hard but they cannot ensure that one shall work at anything worthwhile. Arnold J. Toynbee
3
A life which does not go into action is a failure. Arnold J. Toynbee
4
As human beings, we are endowed with freedom of choice, and we cannot shuffle off our responsibility upon the shoulders of God or nature. We must shoulder it ourselves. It is our responsibility. Arnold J. Toynbee
5
Of the twenty-two civilizations that have appeared in history, nineteen of them collapsed when they reached the moral state the United States is in now. Arnold J. Toynbee
6
History is a vision of God's creation on the move. Arnold J. Toynbee
7
Civilization is a movement and not a condition, a voyage and not a harbor. Arnold J. Toynbee
8
Sooner or later, man has always had to decide whether he worships his own power or the power of God. Arnold J. Toynbee
9
Apathy can be overcome by enthusiasm, and enthusiasm can only be aroused by two things: first, an ideal, with takes the imagination by storm, and second, a definite intelligible plan for carrying that ideal into practice. Arnold J. Toynbee
10
The human race's prospects of survival were considerably better when we were defenceless against tigers than they are today when we have become defenceless against ourselves. Arnold J. Toynbee