Source: Défense des Lettres [In Defense of Letters] (1937), p.
“The conception of life as constructive rather than antagonistic effort finds beautiful illustration in every approach that we make toward true civilization. You measure the quality and the value of the civilization of individuals or peoples, not by the houses which they live in or the clothes which they wear, but by the width and power of their sympathy.”
The Theology of Civilization (May 1899)
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Charles Fletcher Dole 12
Unitarian minister, speaker, and writer 1845–1927Related quotes
How to Understand Politics: What the Humanities Can Say to Science (2007)
Context: People want to stand for something, which means opposing those who stand for something else. In the course of opposing they will often resort to insults and name-calling, which are normal in politics though never in your interest. The demand for more civility in politics today should be directed toward improving the quality of our insults, seeking civility in wit rather than blandness.
"Trump nation tired of racial sadomasochism," http://www.wnd.com/2016/03/trump-nation-tired-of-racial-sadomasochism/ WorldNetDaily.com, March 3, 2016.
2010s, 2016
Will China Rule the World? http://www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/rodrik39
Source: My Life: A Spoken Autobiography
Quoted in Ziggy Stardust https://newhumanist.org.uk/articles/703/ziggy-stardust, 2007