Am Quote by Lewis Thomas
“Once you have become permanently startled, as I am, by the realization that we are a social species, you tend to keep an eye out for the pieces of evidence that this is, by and large, good for us.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Lives of a Cell, Lewis Thomas, 1974
Recognizing our social nature leads us to seek evidence that social connections benefit us overall.
In simple terms: We are social and it’s usually good for us.
Key Takeaway
Value and nurture social ties.
Themes
social behavior
human nature
well‑being
Mood
reflective
optimistic
Type
observational
inspirational
When to use this quote
- teamwork
- friendships
- community building
- mental health
- networking
Key Concepts
evolutionary biology
psychology
sociology
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you assess the quality of your social connections?
- What social habits improve your health?
A Different Perspective
Social benefits can be uneven; not all interactions are positive.
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