“The farther a society progresses, the more clearly the individual becomes the antithesis of the group.”
Society is the agreement we all live under without ever signing a contract. These quotes examine culture, community, inequality, progress, and the ongoing negotiation between individual freedom and collective responsibility.
“Men of genius are often dull and inert in society as the blazing meteor, when it descends to earth, is only a stone.”
“The farther a society progresses, the more clearly the individual becomes the antithesis of the group.”
“A society made up of individuals who were all capable of original thought would probably be unendurable.”
“Therefore, a person should first be changed by a teacher's instructions, and guided by principles of ritual. Only then can he observe the rules of courtesy and humility, obey the conventions and rules of society, and achieve order.”
“The weapons were conceived and created by a small band of physicists and chemists they remain a cataclysmic threat to the whole of human society and the natural environment.”
“I believe we should work to end all racism in American society and staunchly defend the inherent rights of every person.”
“I know of no safe depository of the ultimate powers of the society but the people themselves and if we think them not enlightened enough to exercise their control with a wholesome discretion, the remedy is not to take it from them but to inform their discretion.”
“Are we Darwinists - where we live and let live? Or are we nurturing as a society? There has to be a standard of living that we decide to support.”
“Nothing seems at first sight less important than the outward form of human actions, yet there is nothing upon which men set more store: they grow used to everything except to living in a society which has not their own manners.”
“Half of the secular unrest and dismal, profane sadness of modern society comes from the vain ideas that every man is bound to be a critic for life.”
“The smarter the journalists are, the better off society is. For to a degree, people read the press to inform themselves - and the better the teacher, the better the student body.”
“I mean, I am fully aware of my influence and my responsibility to society in general representing the gay community. But in the same time, I don't represent the entire gay community because it's a vast, vast community, as one can imagine.”
“Aesthetic matters are fundamental for the harmonious development of both society and the individual.”
“Society has taught us to suppress certain things and not do certain things.”
“Land: A part of the earth's surface, considered as property. The theory that land is property subject to private ownership and control is the foundation of modern society, and is eminently worthy of the superstructure.”
“After 25-plus years as a lawyer, prosecutor, and defense attorney, I have developed a deep appreciation for both the wisdom of the law and the role that jurists play in framing the rights and responsibilities that define our society.”