The vigor of civilized societies is preserved by the widespread sense
that high aims are worth-while. Vigorous societies harbor a certain
extravagance of objectives, so that men wander beyond the safe
provision of personal gratifications. All strong interests easily
become impersonal, the love of a good job well done. There is a sense
of harmony about such an accomplishment, the Peace brought by something
worth-while.
-- Alfred North Whitehead, 1963, in "The History of Manned Space Flight"
