Improvement is the process of a thing moving from one state to a state considered to be better, usually through some action intended to bring about that better state. The concept of improvement is important to governments and businesses, as well as to individuals.
That's how we continue on, and will improve our lot in life, solve the problems that arise. Partly out of necessity, partly out of this drive to improve.
Jonas Salk, interview in San Diego, California (16 May 1991)
For if you think that by killing men you can avoid the accuser censoring your lives, you are mistaken; that is not a way of escape which is either possible or honorable; the easiest and the noblest way is not to be crushing others, but to be improving yourselves.
Socrates, Plato's account of the trial of Socrates in Apology. (Translated by Benjamin Jowett.) 39c–d
I do nothing but go about persuading you all, old and young alike, not to take thought for your persons or your properties, but and chiefly to care about the greatest improvement of the soul.
Socrates, Plato's account of the trial of Socrates in Apology. (Translated by Benjamin Jowett.) 30a–b
