Source: The Functions of the Executive (1938), p. viii
“Law is necessary, but in a more functional culture, it would presumably be less necessary than it is now, because people would know what to do.”
Uncommon Knowledge (2005)
Help us to complete the source, original and additional information
Ursula Goodenough 64
American biologist 1943Related quotes

“If people should ever start to do only what is necessary millions would die of hunger.”
C 54
Variant translation: If all mankind were suddenly to practice honesty, many thousands of people would be sure to starve.
Aphorisms (1765-1799), Notebook C (1772-1773)

3.2, Essential Works of Lenin (1966)
(1917)

On Democracy (6 October 1884)
Context: I have hinted that what people are afraid of in democracy is less the thing itself than what they conceive to be its necessary adjuncts and consequences. It is supposed to reduce all mankind to a dead level of mediocrity in character and culture, to vulgarize men's conceptions of life, and therefore their code of morals, manners, and conduct — to endanger the rights of property and possession. But I believe that the real gravamen of the charges lies in the habit it has of making itself generally disagreeable by asking the Powers that Be at the most inconvenient moment whether they are the powers that ought to be. If the powers that be are in a condition to give a satisfactory answer to this inevitable question, they need feel in no way discomfited by it.

Der Spiegel (17 October 1988)

“I feel that by writing I am doing what is far more necessary than anything else.”

Ci-Gît (1947).

“Knowledge as function, mechanical function, is necessary.”
"Second Discussion in San Diego (18 February 1974) http://www.jkrishnamurti.com/krishnamurti-teachings/view-text.php?tid=1102&chid=806&w=, p. 27; J.Krishnamurti Online, JKO Serial No. SD74CA2
1970s, A Wholly Different Way of Living (1970)
Context: Knowledge is necessary to act in the sense of my going home from here to the place I live; I must have knowledge for this; I must have knowledge to speak English; I must have knowledge to write a letter and so on. Knowledge as function, mechanical function, is necessary. Now if I use that knowledge in my relationship with you, another human being, I am bringing about a barrier, a division between you and me, namely the observer. That is, knowledge, in relationship, in human relationship, is destructive. That is knowledge which is the tradition, the memory, the image, which the mind has built about you, that knowledge is separative and therefore creates conflict in our relationship.

Lillian Moller Gilbreth (1962) Conference and Convention Proceedings American Institute of Industrial Engineers. p. 21.