Civilization Quote by John Buchan
“Civilization is a conspiracy. Modern life is the silent compact of comfortable folk to keep up pretences.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: Civilization and Its Discontents, John Buchan, 1925
Society relies on a quiet agreement among comfortable people to maintain false appearances, masking underlying pretenses.
In simple terms: People hide true selves to fit in.
Key Takeaway
Question social conformity.
Themes
society
deception
comfort
conspiracy
Mood
cynical
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
critical
When to use this quote
- political discourse
- corporate culture
- social media
- community building
Key Concepts
social contract
psychology
cultural critique
Questions to Reflect On
- What pretences do we accept?
- How can authenticity be encouraged?
A Different Perspective
The view may be overly cynical.
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