Nation Quote by Norah Vincent
“We are a nation of savages.”
About This Quote
Society exhibits brutal, uncivilized behavior despite its civil veneer.
In simple terms: Even civilized societies can act savagely.
Key Takeaway
Acknowledge and confront the savage tendencies within culture.
Themes
society
violence
civilization
Mood
critical
concerned
Type
observational
critical
When to use this quote
- activism
- media analysis
- public policy
Key Concepts
sociology
psychology
politics
Questions to Reflect On
- What examples of civility counteract this view?
- How can we nurture humane behavior?
A Different Perspective
Not all aspects of society are savage; there are also compassion and progress.
![“That country [Carthage] was rapidly sinking into the state of barbarism from whence it had been raised by the Phoenician colonies and Roman laws; and every step of intestine discord was marked by some deplorable victory of savage man over civilized society.” quote by Edward Gibbon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/70c/edward-gibbon-710_barbarism_that-country-carthage-was-rapidly-sinkin_393.jpg)
