Absence Quote by Barbara Tuchman
“Of all the ills that our poor ... society is heir to, the focal one, it seems to me, from which so much of our uneasiness and confusion derive, is the absence of standards.”
About This Quote
A lack of shared standards creates confusion and anxiety in society; establishing common values and expectations can reduce collective unease.
In simple terms: Without common standards, society feels unsettled.
Key Takeaway
Define and uphold shared norms.
Themes
society
standards
uncertainty
Mood
thoughtful
analytical
Type
philosophical
social
When to use this quote
- policy making
- community building
- education reform
Key Concepts
collective values
social cohesion
Questions to Reflect On
- What standards are essential for a healthy community?
- How can we balance flexibility with shared expectations?
A Different Perspective
Standards can become rigid or exclusionary.
![“[Y]ou were too alert to the figurative possibilities of words not to see the phrase [angle of repose] as descriptive of human as well as detrital rest. As you said, it was too good for mere dirt; you tried to apply it to your own wandering and uneasy life ... I wonder if you ever reached it.” quote by Wallace Stegner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/7b2/wallace-stegner-1352_life_y-ou-were-too-alert-to-the-figurative-po_96500.jpg)
![“The clergy [in the 14th century] on the whole were probably no more lecherous or greedy or untrustworthy than other men, but because they were supposed to be better or nearer to God than other men, their failings attracted more attention.” quote by Barbara Tuchman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/558/barbara-tuchman-3945_attention_the-clergy-in-the-14th-century-on-the-wh_159681.jpg)
