Adapt Quote by Nathaniel Hawthorne
““To plant a family! This idea is at the bottom of most of the wrong and mischief which men do. The truth is, that, once in every half century, at longest, a family should be merged into the great, obscure mass of humanity, and forget all about its ancestors.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: The House of the Seven Gables, 1851
Family ties should be limited; merging into humanity preserves individuality.
In simple terms: Sometimes families should dissolve for the greater good.
Key Takeaway
Consider the balance between lineage and collective identity.
Themes
family
individuality
society
legacy
Mood
thoughtful
critical
Type
philosophical
reflective
When to use this quote
- genealogy research
- family reunions
- community building
Key Concepts
social contract
philosophical reflection
Questions to Reflect On
- When is it right to prioritize personal identity over family?
- How does society benefit from both family and collective bonds?
A Different Perspective
Overemphasis on dissolution can erase valuable heritage.
![“I realize the importance of retelling those stories is so that, one, we don't forget what our ancestors had to do so we can be where we are, and two, to just educate the newer generation. I'm being educated by all these films ['Race' and 'Selma'] and the things I've had the opportunity to be a…” quote by Stephan James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/242/stephan-james-17537_ancestor_i-realize-the-importance-of-retelling-th_1510721.jpg)
![“4.39 HUMANITY & DIVINITY When you lose reasoning you forget humanity, When you forget laughter you lose Divinity. [222] – 4” quote by Munindra (Munnan) Misra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/286/munindra-munnan-misra-19713_comedy_4-39-humanity-divinity-when-you-lose-rea_718816.jpg)
