Accidents Quote by Lewis H. Lapham
“It is no accident that banks resemble temples, preferably Greek, and that the supplicants who come to perform the rites of deposit and withdrawal instinctively lower their voices into the registers of awe. Even the most junior tellers acquire within weeks of their employment the officiousness of hierophants tending an eternal flame.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: “The Temples of Money” by Lewis H. Lapham, 1997
Banks are portrayed as modern temples where customers feel reverence, and staff adopt a ritualistic, authoritative demeanor.
In simple terms: Banks act like sacred places, staff act like priests.
Key Takeaway
Recognize the symbolic power of financial institutions.
Themes
institution
authority
ritual
customer experience
Mood
reflective
critical
Type
observational
analytical
When to use this quote
- banking
- customer service
- financial education
- corporate culture
Key Concepts
sociology
symbolism
organizational behavior
Questions to Reflect On
- How does this reverence affect financial decisions?
- Do you feel awe in other service settings?
A Different Perspective
The metaphor may oversimplify complex economic functions.
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