Ancestor Quote by Bertrand Russell
“Civilized life, if it is to be stable, must provide a harmless outlets for the impulses which our remote ancestors satisfied in hunting. In Australia, where people are few, and rabbits are many, I watched the whole populace satisfying the primitive impulse in the primitive manner by the skilful slaughter of many thousands of rabbits.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: "The Conquest of Happiness", 1930
Society must channel primal urges into harmless activities to maintain stability.
In simple terms: Redirect primitive impulses constructively.
Key Takeaway
Create safe outlets for strong drives.
Themes
civilization
instinct
social order
Mood
reflective
critical
Type
philosophical
analytical
When to use this quote
- urban planning
- wildlife management
- community programs
Key Concepts
psychology
anthropology
Questions to Reflect On
- How can societies design constructive outlets for innate urges?
- What are contemporary examples of harmless impulse channels?
A Different Perspective
Modern life may lack clear outlets for some impulses.
![“If the State does not acquire supremacy over [vast private] enterprises, it becomes their puppet, and they become the real State.” quote by Bertrand Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/bad/bertrand-russell-69_acquire_if-the-state-does-not-acquire-supremacy_1379.jpg)
