Mistress Quote by Edward Abbey
““In any nation but the USA, it is taken for granted that a man of distinction, ability, wealth or power will keep a mistress and a few girlfriends on the side. Only in America, still suffering from its grotesque, hypocritical Puritan heritage, do we persist in attempting to deny and repeal a million years of basic primate biology.””
About This Quote
Source Essay: “The American Paradox,” 1975
He argues that America’s cultural heritage leads it to deny natural human behaviors seen elsewhere.
In simple terms: America denies basic primate biology due to Puritan roots.
Recognize cultural influences on behavior.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- relationship counseling
- cultural critique
- policy analysis
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How do cultural narratives shape personal choices?
- Can biology be separated from culture?
May oversimplify complex social factors.