If a man went simply by what he saw, he might be tempted to affirm that the essence of democracy is melodrama. — Irving Babbitt Copy Share Image
Commercialism is laying its great greasy paw upon everything including the irresponsible quest of thrills; so that, whatever democracy may be theoretically, one is sometimes tempted to define it practically as standardized and commercialized melodrama. — Irving Babbitt Copy Share Image
Robespierre, however, was not the type of leader finally destined to emerge from the Revolution. — Irving Babbitt Copy Share Image
The ultimate binding element in the medieval order was subordination to the divine will and its earthly representatives, notably the pope. — Irving Babbitt Copy Share Image
For behind all imperialism is ultimately the imperialistic individual, just as behind all peace is ultimately the peaceful individual. — Irving Babbitt Copy Share Image
It is well to open one's mind but only as a preliminary to closing it ... for the supreme act of judgment and selection. — Irving Babbitt Copy Share Image
To harmonize the One with the Many, this is indeed a difficult adjustment, perhaps the most difficult of all, and so important, withal, that… — Irving Babbitt Copy Share Image
We must not, however, be like the leaders of the great romantic revolt who, in their eagerness to get rid of the husk of… — Irving Babbitt Copy Share Image
Perhaps as good a classification as any of the main types is that of the three lusts distinguished by traditional Christianity - the lust… — Irving Babbitt Copy Share Image
Furthermore, America suffers not only from a lack of standards, but also not infrequently from a confusion or an inversion of standards. — Irving Babbitt Copy Share Image
An American of the present day reading his Sunday newspaper in a state of lazy collapse is one of the most perfect symbols of… — Irving Babbitt Copy Share Image
Inasmuch as society cannot go on without discipline of some kind, men were constrained, in the absence of any other form of discipline, to… — Irving Babbitt Copy Share Image
If quantitatively the American achievement is impressive, qualitatively it is somewhat less satisfying. — Irving Babbitt Copy Share Image
A man needs to look, not down, but up to standards set so much above his ordinary self as to make him feel that… — Irving Babbitt Copy Share Image
Anyone who thus looks up has some chance of becoming worthy to be looked up to in turn. — Irving Babbitt Copy Share Image
A remarkable feature of the humanitarian movement, on both its sentimental and utilitarian sides, has been its preoccupation with the lot of the masses. — Irving Babbitt Copy Share Image
