Nature of man Quote by Ford Madox Ford
““And Tietjens, who hated no man, in face of this simple-minded and agreeable schoolboy type of fellow, fell to wondering why it was that humanity that was next to always agreeable in its units was, as a mass, a phenomenon so hideous. You look at a dozen men, each of them not by any means detestable and not uninteresting: for each of them would have technical details of their affairs to impart: you formed them into a Government or a club, and at once, with oppressions, inaccuracies, gossip, backbiting, lying, corruption and vileness, you had the combination of wolf, tiger, weasel, and louse-covered ape that was human society. And he””
About This Quote
Source Novel: "Parade's End", 1924
Human societies, though composed of individuals, become monstrous when combined, due to collective flaws.
In simple terms: Groups can become worse than their members.
Key Takeaway
Beware collective corruption.
Themes
society
human nature
corruption
Mood
critical
serious
Type
philosophical
political
When to use this quote
- political organization
- corporate culture
- community projects
Key Concepts
collective behavior
ethical decay
Questions to Reflect On
- What safeguards can prevent societal decay?
- How can individuals influence group ethics?
A Different Perspective
Not all groups are corrupt.
![“8The wicked strut about [in pompous self-importance] on every side, As vileness is exalted and baseness is prized among the sons of men.” quote by Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/699/anonymous-1_vileness_8the-wicked-strut-about-in-pompous-self_3015045.jpg)
