“Toleration is the greatest gift of the mind; it requires the same effort of the brain that it takes to balance oneself on a bicycle.”
- June 27, 1880 – June 1, 1968
- American
- Author, educator, human rights activist
- Although she lost her sight and hearing due to an illness in her childhood, she engaged in various social activities, such as supporting the visually and hearing impaired and promoting women’s rights.
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Quote
“Toleration is the greatest gift of the mind; it requires the same effort of the brain that it takes to balance oneself on a bicycle.”
Explanation
In this quote, Helen Keller emphasizes that toleration—the ability to accept and respect differences—requires significant mental effort and discipline. She compares the mental effort needed for toleration to the physical effort required to balance on a bicycle. Just as balancing on a bicycle requires focus, control, and practice, so too does the ability to maintain a tolerant and open-minded approach to others. Keller suggests that true toleration is not a passive state but an active choice that requires continuous awareness and effort to avoid prejudice and intolerance.
Keller’s perspective is rooted in her own life experiences, where she often faced prejudice and misunderstanding due to her disabilities. Yet, she consistently advocated for tolerance and acceptance, not only for people with disabilities but also for all marginalized groups. She understood that creating a more compassionate world depends on each individual’s ability to embrace differences, even when they challenge our own views or comfort zones. Keller’s comparison of toleration to balancing on a bicycle underscores how it takes both practice and intention to maintain balance in our attitudes toward others.
In the modern context, Keller’s quote is particularly relevant as the world becomes more interconnected and diverse. In a time of political polarization, cultural clashes, and social unrest, toleration is more important than ever. Whether dealing with differences in race, religion, or ideology, the ability to tolerate and engage with others respectfully requires conscious effort and an open mind. Keller’s analogy reminds us that just as we practice physical skills to improve our balance, we must also practice mental and emotional skills to foster a more tolerant, inclusive world. Toleration is not always easy, but like balancing on a bike, it becomes more natural with continuous practice and focus.
