Skip to content

Capacity Quote by Allan Bloom

“As Western nations became more prosperous, leisure, which had been put off for several centuries in favor of the pursuit of property, the means to leisure, finally began to be of primary concern. But, in the meantime, any notion of the serious life of leisure, as well as men's taste and capacity…” quote by Allan Bloom
Download Open image
“As Western nations became more prosperous, leisure, which had been put off for several centuries in favor of the pursuit of property, the means to leisure, finally began to be of primary concern. But, in the meantime, any notion of the serious life of leisure, as well as men's taste and capacity to live it, had disappeared.”

Allan Bloom

About This Quote

Source Essay: The Closing of the American Mind, 1987

Prosperity shifted focus to leisure, but without a serious approach, leisure becomes superficial and lacks depth.

In simple terms: Wealth led to shallow leisure without purpose.

Key Takeaway

Seek meaningful engagement beyond mere relaxation.

Themes

prosperity leisure culture meaning purpose

Mood

analytical critical

Type

philosophical inspirational

When to use this quote

  • education
  • work-life balance
  • consumer habits
  • public policy

Key Concepts

philosophy social critique modernity

Questions to Reflect On

  • How can leisure be purposeful?
  • What values should guide our free time?
A Different Perspective

Leisure can become escapism if not purposeful.

4.6 out of 5 (7 ratings)

More by Allan Bloom

Explore all 116 Allan Bloom quotes

More Capacity quotes

Browse all 3,320 Capacity quotes