Nelson's famous signal before the Battle of Trafalgar was not: "England expects that every man will be a hero." It said: "Englandexpects that every man will do his duty." In 1805 that was enough. It should still be.
Johan HuizingaYou can deny, if you like, nearly all abstractions: justice, beauty, truth, goodness, mind, God. You can deny seriousness, but not play.
Johan HuizingaThe new knowledge has not yet settled in culture. It has not yet been integrated in a new cosmic conception.
Johan HuizingaPlay is a uniquely adaptive act, not subordinate to some other adaptive act, but with a special function of its own in human experience.
Johan HuizingaPlay: It is an an activity which proceeds within certain limits of time and space, in a visible order, according to rules freely accepted, and outside the sphere of necessity or material utility. The play-mood is one of rapture and enthusiasm, and is sacred or festive in accordance with the occasion. A feeling of exaltation and tension accompanies the action.
Johan Huizinga