“I was brought up to believe that there is no virtue in conforming meekly to the dominant opinion of the moment.”

— Jane Jacobs

Political questionnaire response (1952)
Context: I was brought up to believe that there is no virtue in conforming meekly to the dominant opinion of the moment. I was encouraged to believe that simple conformity results in stagnation for a society, and that American progress has been largely owing to the opportunity for experimentation, the leeway given initiative, and to a gusto and a freedom for chewing over odd ideas.

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Jane Jacobs 26

American–Canadian journalist, author on urbanism and activi… 1916–2006

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“I was brought up to believe that there is no virtue in conforming meekly to the dominant opinion of the moment.”

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