“The kids of today have to be better than us. We must strive to create tools adequate for human beings that come with other things that are, at least, different from those we used to have.”
- May 20, 1935 – May 13, 2025
- Uruguayan
- Politician, Former President of Uruguay, Former Guerrilla Fighter, Advocate for Simple Living
table of contents
Quote
“The kids of today have to be better than us. We must strive to create tools adequate for human beings that come with other things that are, at least, different from those we used to have.”
Explanation
In this quote, José Mujica speaks to the responsibility of older generations to empower the future, recognizing that progress lies not in replication, but in renewal. By saying that “the kids of today have to be better than us,” he expresses hope and necessity: that each generation should grow not just in knowledge and skill, but in wisdom, empathy, and adaptability to face new challenges.
The second part of the quote emphasizes the creation of tools—technological, social, or ethical—that are suited to a changing human condition. Mujica is urging society to avoid clinging to outdated models, whether in education, economics, or values. The phrase “different from those we used to have” underscores his belief in evolution—not for novelty’s sake, but to meet new realities with better instruments that serve human dignity and sustainability.
This message resonates strongly today, as the world confronts climate change, digital transformation, inequality, and cultural shifts. Mujica encourages adults to provide not just material support, but the intellectual and moral foundation for the next generation to surpass them. His words are a call to innovation with conscience, rooted in the belief that each generation has the duty to build a better world, not merely inherit it.
Would you like to share your impressions or related stories about this quote in the comments section?
