Popular art is the dream of society; it does not examine itself.
—Margaret Atwood (b.1939) Canadian Writer, Poet, Critic
Man, in society, is like a flower blown in its native bud. It is there only that his faculties, expanded in full bloom, shine out, there only reach their proper use.
—William Cowper (1731–1800) English Anglican Poet, Hymn writer
Every society by its own practice of living and by the mode of relatedness, of feelings, and perceiving, develops a system of categories which determines the forms of awareness.
—Erich Fromm (1900–80) German-American Psychoanalyst, Social Philosopher
The society which scorns excellence in plumbing because plumbing is a humble activity, and tolerates shoddiness in philosophy because philosophy is an exalted activity, will have neither good plumbing nor good philosophy. Neither its pipes nor its theories will hold water.
—John W. Gardner (1912–2002) American Activist
The will of the people is the only legitimate foundation of any government, and to protect its free expression should be our first object.
—Thomas Jefferson (1743–1826) American Head of State, Lawyer
The family is one of nature’s masterpieces.
—George Santayana (1863–1952) Spanish-American Poet, Philosopher
No civilized society can thrive upon victims, whose humanity has been permanently mutilated.
—Rabindranath Tagore (1861–1941) Bengali Poet, Polymath
The whole history of civilization is strewn with creeds and institutions which were invaluable at first, and deadly afterwards.
—Walter Bagehot (1826–77) English Economist, Journalist
Society is like a lawn, where every roughness is smoothed, every bramble eradicated, and where the eye is delighted by the smiling verdure of a velvet surface. He, however, who would study nature in its wildness and variety, must plunge into the forest, must explore the glen, must stem the torrent, and dare the precipice.
—Washington Irving (1783–1859) American Essayist, Biographer, Historian
Liberty is the right to choose. Freedom is the result of the right choice.
—Anonymous
Luck is always waiting for something to turn up. Labor, with keen eyes and strong will, always turns up something. Luck lies in bed and wishes the postman will bring news of a legacy. Labor turns out at six o’clock and with busy pen or ringing hammer, lays the foundation of a competence. Luck whines. Labor whistles. Luck relies on chance, labor on character.
—Richard Cobden (1804–65) British Politician, Economist
The history of any private family, however humble, could it be fully related for five or six generations, would illustrate the state and progress of society better than the most elaborate dissertation.
—Robert South (1634–1716) English Theologian, Preacher
Society is always taken by surprise at any new example of common sense.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
There is a sort of economy in Providence that one shall excel where another is defective, in order to make them more useful to each other, and mix them in society.
—Joseph Addison (1672–1719) English Essayist, Poet, Playwright, Politician
People ask the difference between a leader and a boss. The leader works in the open, and the boss in covert. The leader leads, and the boss drives.
—Theodore Roosevelt (1858–1919) American Historian, Political Leader, Explorer
I am now quite cured of seeking pleasure in society, be it country or town. A sensible man ought to find sufficient company in himself.
—Emily Bronte (1818–48) English Novelist, Poet
He who is unable to live in society, or who has no need because he is sufficient for himself, must be either a beast or a god.
—Aristotle (384BCE–322BCE) Ancient Greek Philosopher, Scholar
Education is an admirable thing. But it is well to remember from time to time that nothing that is worth knowing can be taught.
—Oscar Wilde (1854–1900) Irish Poet, Playwright
Other people are quite dreadful. The only possible society is oneself.
—Oscar Wilde (1854–1900) Irish Poet, Playwright
If a free society cannot help the many who are poor, it cannot save the few who are rich.
—John F. Kennedy (1917–63) American Head of State, Journalist
Wives are young men’s mistresses; companions for middle age; and old men’s nurses.
—Francis Bacon (1561–1626) English Philosopher
The inherent vice of capitalism is the unequal sharing of blessings. The inherent virtue of Socialism is the equal sharing of miseries.
—Winston Churchill (1874–1965) British Leader, Historian, Journalist, Author
Civilization is unbearable, but it is less unbearable at the top.
—Timothy Leary (1920–96) American Psychologist, Author
I had three chairs in my house; one for solitude, two for friendship, three for society.
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–62) American Philosopher
Education has opened many, many doors. However, there are still innumerable doors shut tight—unopened yet. These are the doors of the future. Perhaps one of my children will open one of these doors—I shall help give him the key.
—Unknown
The Great Society is a place where every child can find knowledge to enrich his mind and to enlarge his talents…. It is a place where the city of man serves not only the needs of the body and the demands of commerce but the desire for beauty and the hunger for community…. It is a place where men are more concerned with the quality of their goals than the quantity of their goods.
—Lyndon B. Johnson (1908–73) American Head of State, Political leader
Before marriage, a man will go home and lie awake all night thinking about something you said; after marriage, he’ll go to sleep before you finish saying it.
—Helen Rowland (1875–1950) American Journalist, Humorist
Marrying is easy, it’s housework that’s hard.
—Common Proverb
I think the first duty of society is justice.
—Alexander Hamilton (c.1757–1804) American Federalist Politician, Statesman
You can only protect your liberties in this world by protecting the other man’s freedom. You can only be free if I am free.
—Clarence Darrow (1857–1938) American Civil Liberties Lawyer
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