You know, “The more we depend on one another” isn’t about weakness. It’s the secret to unlocking our collective potential. This idea flips the script on self-sufficiency, arguing that true capability is built through connection.
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Meaning
Our individual strength and capacity don’t diminish with interdependence; they multiply. It’s the fundamental belief that we are smarter, stronger, and more resilient together than we could ever be alone.
Explanation
Okay, let’s break this down. Our culture, especially in the West, is obsessed with the myth of the self-made individual. But that’s a lonely and frankly, inefficient way to live. Think about it. When you rely on your neighbor’s tool, you don’t just get the job done—you build a relationship. That relationship becomes a network. That network becomes a support system. Suddenly, you’re not just one person with a limited skillset; you’re part of a living, breathing system of shared gifts and abilities. Your capability isn’t just what’s in your head or your hands; it’s the entire community you’re woven into. It’s an asset-based model of living.
Quote Summary
| Context | Attributes |
|---|---|
| Original Language | English (3668) |
| Category | Personal Development (697) |
| Topics | growth (413), interdependence (3), trust (147) |
| Literary Style | affirmative (75), plain (102) |
| Emotion / Mood | optimistic (116), warm (182) |
| Overall Quote Score | 77 (179) |
Origin & Factcheck
This comes straight from John McKnight and Peter Block’s fantastic 2010 book, The Abundant Community: Awakening the Power of Families and Neighborhoods. You sometimes see this sentiment floating around unattributed, but its true home is in their work on community-building. It was born from their observations in the United States, challenging the consumer culture that tells us to look for solutions from institutions, not from each other.
Attribution Summary
| Context | Attributes |
|---|---|
| Author | John McKnight (51) |
| Source Type | Book (4032) |
| Source/Book Name | The Abundant Community: Awakening the Power of Families and Neighborhoods (51) |
| Origin Timeperiod | 21st Century (1892) |
| Original Language | English (3668) |
| Authenticity | Verified (4032) |
Author Bio
John McKnight, Professor Emeritus at Northwestern University had spent decades of his life helping people rediscover the power of relationships. Being, co-founder of the ABCD Institute, his core idea revolves around communities that grows by identifying and connecting their assets. You’ll find the John McKnight book list here which are anchored by Building Communities from the Inside Out, The Careless Society, The Abundant Community, and The Connected Community.
| Official Website
Where is this quotation located?
| Quotation | The more we depend on one another, the more capable we become |
| Book Details | Publication Year/Date: 2010; ISBN/Unique Identifier: 9781605095844; Last edition: 2012; Number of pages: 192. |
| Where is it? | Chapter: Mutual Dependence, Approximate page from 2012 edition: 157 |