Ancestor Quote by Marietta Holley
“I say this idea of chokin' folks to death to reform 'em, is where we show the savage in us, which we have brought down from our barbarious ancestors. We have left off the war paint and war whoops, and we shall leave off the hangin' when we get civilized.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Savage Within, 1889
Civilization masks innate cruelty; reform can unleash primal aggression.
In simple terms: Civilized society can hide violent impulses.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and control inner aggression.
Themes
civilization
human nature
violence
Mood
reflective
critical
Type
philosophical
social commentary
When to use this quote
- political reform
- justice system
- social movements
Key Concepts
psychology
history
ethics
Questions to Reflect On
- Can reform truly eradicate primal instincts?
- What methods reduce aggression without cruelty?
A Different Perspective
Violence may be suppressed, not eliminated.
![“Elizabeth [Alexander] is right, of course. It’s a stirring fact that our slave ancestors left behind not documents of property but an incredible amount of cultural wealth. It is a tragedy that we are only able to imagine their individual contributions to that collective wealth- and the worlds they…” quote by Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/f8f/anonymous-1_left-behind_elizabeth-alexander-is-right-of-course-i_1745577.jpg)
![“[Book's subtitle:] Designed as a beacon of light to guide women to life liberty and the pursuit of happiness, but which may be read by members of the sterner sect, without injury to themselves or the book.” quote by Marietta Holley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/56f/marietta-holley-42963_beacons_book-s-subtitle-designed-as-a-beacon-of_1771418.jpg){kind=tracking}
![“I have brought him [my son] up to think that purity and virtue are both masculine and femanine gender, and that God's angels are not necessarily all she ones.” quote by Marietta Holley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/f77/marietta-holley-42963_angel_i-have-brought-him-my-son-up-to-think-th_1822982.jpg)
