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Review this feature weekly - a new quote from Paul Harris and other notable Rotary leaders with historian commentary.

“The world is not so much in need of great production as it is in need of a right about faith in its view of life. The glorification of the material has been tried and found wanting. If it may become the purpose of men, each in his own way, to achieve spiritual instead of material results, the storms of adversity need never be feared and prosperity will have a new and abiding meaning.

Rotary is one of the means to that end. The Golden Rule is universal. Its spirit found expression both among Oriental and Occidental peoples in the early days of history. Rotary seeks to stimulate men of this modern age to make the Golden Rule operative in the activities of each day, in business life, in the community, in the nation, and in international relations.

Friendship constitutes an enrichment of life. Without it life would be barren indeed. Understanding is the handmaid of friendship. Without it friendship cannot exist, With the growth of understanding, concepts of superiority and inferiority vanish. We are all God's children. As one member of a family is essential to the others, so is each nation in the family of nations essential to all other nations.”

Paul P. Harris in his message to the 1931 convention of Rotary International at Vienna.

Clearly Rotary Founder Paul Harris hoped for all Rotarians to return to spiritual roots, however they understand that. Clearly Harris understood the greater life that we live beyond the physical and often self-serving world. He was not preaching religion; he was stating facts about a way of life that we espouse in the “Four Way Test”, “Service above Self” and the Object of Rotary. For Rotary to fill the needs of this troubled world, we must listen to Harris and yearn for something greater that can heal us and those around us. Harris hoped that all Rotarians would understand the value of friendship, of neighborliness as the way to world peace.

In the February issue of The Rotarian, Harris wrote an essay to celebrate the 27^th birthday of Rotary, and to put in perspective the losses and gains of the Great Depression. However, his essay is vital reading today for anyone who finds themselves a prisoner of their own possessions. It is valuable philosophy for those who wish to build their lives and Rotary to the power for world peace so much needed in today’s world. Our thanks to the work of RGHF senior historian Dr. Wolfgang Ziegler who is preserving everything every written by Rotary Founder Paul Harris.

John M. Selway, Founder & Secretary/Webmaster
Rotary Global History Fellowship
Member: Rotary eClub South West USA

"What Paul Harris Said" From Rotary's Global History Project, a project of volunteer Rotarians from around the world.

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