Monogamy, in brief, kills passion -- and passion is the…
““Monogamy, in brief, kills passion -- and passion is the most dangerous of all the surviving enemies to what we call civilization, which is based upon order, decorum, restraint, formality, industry, regimentation. The civilized man -- the ideal civilized man -- is simply one who never sacrifices the common security to his private passions. He reaches perfection when he even ceases to love passionately -- when he reduces the most profound of all his instinctive experiences from the level of an ecstasy to the level of a mere device for replenishing the armies and workshops of the world, keeping clothes in repair, reducing the infant death-rate, providing enough tenants for every landlord, and making it possible for the Polizei to know where every citizen is at any hour of the day or night. Monogamy accomplishes this, not by producing satiety, but by destroying appetite. It makes passion formal and uninspiring, and so gradually kills it.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Passion is suppressed by monogamy to preserve social order, turning love into a functional tool rather than ecstatic experience.
In simple terms: Monogamy tames passion for societal stability.
Key Takeaway
Balance personal desire with communal responsibility.
Themes
society
order
passion
individualism
control
Mood
reflective
critical
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
social commentary
analytical
When to use this quote
- marriage counseling
- workplace teamwork
- public policy design
- community building
- family planning
Key Concepts
civilization
psychology
social contract
instinct
appetite
Questions to Reflect On
- How can societies honor both order and deep emotional connection?
- What mechanisms allow healthy passion without destabilizing civilization?
A Different Perspective
Passion can fuel creativity and innovation, which may be lost if overly constrained.