Michael Marcel > Michael's Quotes

“Some version of this story has repeated itself throughout the world over the last century. A cast of political outsiders, including Adolf Hitler, Getulio Vargas in Brazil, Alberto Fujimori in Peru, and Hugo Chavez in Venezuela, came to power on the same path: from the inside, via elections or alliances with powerful political figures. In each instance, elites believed the invitation to power would contain the outsider, leading to a restoration of control by mainstream politicians. But their plans backfired. A lethal mix of ambition, fear, and miscalculation conspired to lead them to the same fateful mistake: willingly handing over the keys of power to an autocrat-in-the-making.
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If a charismatic outsider emerges on the scene, gaining popularity as he challenges the old order, it is tempting for establishment politicians who feel their control is unraveling to try to co-opt him. … And then, establishment politicians hope, the insurgent can be redirected to support their own program. This sort of devil’s bargain often mutates to the benefit of the insurgent …”
― Steven Levitsky, How Democracies Die: What History Reveals About Our Future

“Our Creator has fashioned for us a world that is beautiful. Moments and miracles that take your breath away surround us every second of every day. Opportunities to love and enrich your spirit are the signature of a loving God that extends His ever-evolving creation beyond its beginning.”
― Michael Marcel

“There is a sweetness to the month of October and season fall in general that brings our attention homeward and inward. Could it be the trees going to sleep, cool dry temperatures that delight our morning or daylight hours slipping way causing our focus to converge on how short and fragile life really is. All these things conspire to usher in a season of reflection on relationships and the things that give our lives meaning. What a great loss to our human experience should we ignore or squander this the autumn of our lives. Embrace it, feel it, study it, it is indeed one of God’s great gifts to us.”
― Michael Marcel, Sr.

“The universe is incredibly vast and mysterious. It will take hundreds of generations to fathom its workings. Each answer will generate thousands of questions. We are the microbes of the universe looking out from our drop of existence trying to grasp the enormity of what surrounds us.”
― Michael J. Marcel, Sr.

“The fear over the dangers of “Artificial Intelligence” ignores the bigger need being the creation of "real" intelligence within the community of humans. The intellectual ability to eliminate conflict, to create a lasting peace, to spread love, empathy and a common purpose throughout our human family and to overcome illness and pain. We have much to be thankful for, however the balance sheet of destruction and misery created by our pettiness and greed obscures the good with each bullet fired in anger and each town that is destroyed by igniting a missile. We need to be working on "real" intelligence and compassion, we have been living far too long on "artificial" intelligence.”
― Michael Marcel, Sr.

“The universe is all beautiful and thus far beyond the comprehension of our limited knowledge to explain. Our universe is truly a vast magnificent place of beauty and wonder. In this our current year, the mystery remains.”
― Michael Marcel, Sr.

“There appears to be an errant gene in the human genome that prevents harmony, peace, and long-term solutions. We will end, like so many civilizations we discover in the dust of history, the dust for a future civilization to discover. Future books will describe how our time was marked by moments of progress and brilliance, it is also marred by self-made conflicts and struggles. We failed on our watch. How is it that we are a species that can view the early beginnings of the universe, build satellites, go to the moon, and explore Mars and our distant planets, and yet we cannot learn to live together in peace?”
― Michael Marcel, Sr.

“All war is a tragedy and the scourge of humankind. In spite of all the history of death and destruction that precedes us, we still are unable to walk the path of peace and not kill each other. Military equipment manufacturers and the industrial complex as a whole are the world's largest industries.

As the phrase in the song cries out ".. when will they learn, when will they ever learn..'

In the season of Peace, we find ourselves stumbling dessert in a desert of hostility and strife.”
― Michael J. Marcel, Sr.

“As we look back in time with our marvelous telescopes, we are not viewing our current reality, we are viewing what was. As we sit in our local gravity pit, we are swimming within what is, wondering as to what will be.”
― Michael J. Marcel, Sr.

“We can’t let these people take our country away from us.” It has been said.
“...these people"...? Let that sink in for a minute. I am one of those "these people".
The use of "these people" is exclusionary and does contribute to an "us versus them" mentality.
I think that the title we give ourselves "human race" is appropriate, however, I think that we are not judged by who finishes first, but how many can we bring with us to the finish line. This is a collective journey, not judged by individual speed or entitlements. The importance of unity, cooperation, and supporting one another is our shared task in this journey of life and the means are judged to produce the end. All things we do on this journey matter.”
― Michael J. Marcel, Sr.

“The butterfly effect is the idea that small things can have non-linear impacts on a complex system. The concept is imagined with a butterfly flapping its wings in the Amazon Forest and causing a typhoon in the Pacific.

Imagine the butterfly effect applied to your actions. A small act of kindness in your neighborhood or city gaining strength and spreading to benefit the many.

Perhaps, that thought will make you think twice in moments of weakness.”
― Michael Marcel Sr

“The greatest sin of mankind is to discard and misuse the precious gift of life, it is indeed one of man’s greatest betrayals. I believe that there exists a special corner of hell for those in positions of leadership who waste this precious gift for their own gratification and amusement.”
― Michael Marcel, Sr.

“In the grand tapestry of human existence, time stands alone as the most democratic of resources. Each morning, as the sun peeks over the horizon, we all receive the same precious allotment: 24 hours, 1,440 minutes, 86,400 seconds. No more, no less.
The billionaire in their penthouse and the street vendor below both wake to this same gift. The young student and the elderly sage share this identical treasure. It cannot be hoarded, cannot be saved, cannot be borrowed against future days. Time flows ever forward, spending itself whether we will it or not.
What separates us, then, is not the quantity of time we receive, but the wisdom with which we spend it. Some invest these hours in pursuit of knowledge, letting each minute compound into greater understanding. Others spend lavishly on creation, turning time into art, music, or innovation. Some give their hours generously to others, transforming time into love, care, and connection.
Yet it's easy to become a poor steward of this universal wealth. Minutes slip away on mindless distractions. Hours evaporate in the fog of procrastination. Days can be squandered on pursuits that bring neither joy nor growth. Unlike money, misspent time can never be earned back.
The most profound truth about time is this: its value is determined not by its passage, but by its purpose. A single hour spent in passionate creation may be worth more than a day spent in listless consumption. A few minutes of genuine connection might outweigh weeks of shallow interaction.
The challenge before us is not to control time – for that is impossible – but to be mindful of its passing and intentional in its use. To ask ourselves each morning: "How will I spend the currency of these hours? What will be the return on this investment of moments?”
― Michael Marcel, Sr.