Attempting Quote by Gore Vidal
“...you will do more harm than good by attempting to supplant old dogmas and customs with new dogmas. It will be the same in the end except that the old is less militant, less dangerous than a new order imposed by enthusiasts.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The New Yorker, 1970s (essay collection)
Attempting to replace entrenched traditions with new ideologies often repeats the same patterns of oppression, merely changing the actors involved.
In simple terms: Replacing old beliefs with new ones can lead to similar oppression.
Key Takeaway
Beware of imposing new doctrines without critical scrutiny.
Themes
power
tradition
change
ideology
Mood
cautious
critical
reflective
Type
advice
philosophical
political
When to use this quote
- political movements
- religious reforms
- organizational change
- cultural shifts
Key Concepts
social dynamics
authority
reform
historical cycles
Questions to Reflect On
- What safeguards can prevent new doctrines from becoming oppressive?
- How can we evaluate reforms without repeating past mistakes?
A Different Perspective
New systems may inherit the same flaws as the old ones if underlying power structures remain unchanged.
