Animal Quote by Abraham Myerson
“Society expects man to be a passive social animal who believes like the People of the Field in "Jurgen" that "to do what you always have done" and "what is expected of you" are the twin rules of life. This, is course, is not true. The wanton crucifixion of impulses, the unnecessary blocking and frustration of the drives and urges, are an evil that reflects itself in sophistication, ennui and boredom, dissatisfaction, melancholy, fatigue, anxiety and neurosis.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Psychology of the Social Animal, Abraham Myerson, 1935
Society pressures conformity, suppressing natural impulses, leading to boredom, melancholy, and anxiety.
In simple terms: Conformity stifles inner drives, causing dissatisfaction.
Key Takeaway
Embrace authentic impulses despite social expectations.
Themes
conformity
psychology
authenticity
mental health
societal pressure
Mood
reflective
critical
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
psychological
cautionary
When to use this quote
- workplace
- personal relationships
- creative pursuits
- mental health treatment
Key Concepts
self‑actualization
psychic tension
existential angst
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you balance personal drive with societal expectations?
- What costs arise from constantly conforming?
A Different Perspective
Suppressing impulses can also cause social conflict or instability.
![“[A man] finds in himself a talent which with the help of some culture might make him a useful man in many respects. But he finds himself in comfortable circumstances and prefers to indulge in pleasure rather than to take pains in enlarging and improving his happy natural capacities. He asks…” quote by Immanuel Kant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/82f/immanuel-kant-532_growth_a-man-finds-in-himself-a-talent-which-wi_2644239.jpg)
