Barbarism Quote by Pearl S. Buck
“The boundary between civilization and barbarism is difficult to draw: put one ring in your nose and you are a savage, put two rings in your ears and you are civilized.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: “The Civilized World”, 1942
Distinguishing civilization from barbarism is arbitrary; superficial adornments can mask true savagery.
In simple terms: Civilization is defined by superficial symbols, not behavior.
Key Takeaway
Judge people by actions, not appearances.
Themes
civilization
barbarism
appearance
identity
Mood
reflective
critical
Type
philosophical
social
When to use this quote
- fashion
- body modification
- social status
- ethics
Key Concepts
cultural relativism
social symbols
Questions to Reflect On
- Do symbols truly reflect character?
- How do we avoid judging by appearance?
A Different Perspective
Superficial markers can be misleading.
![“Libraries are the thin red line between civilization and barbarism." [ Libraries on the Front Lines , ALA interview 2011]” quote by Neil Gaiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/c97/neil-gaiman-29_libraries_libraries-are-the-thin-red-line-between_2634740.jpg)
![“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)
![“[Much] as war attracts me and fascinates my mind with its tremendous situations, I feel more deeply every year . . . what vile and wicked folly and barbarism it all is.” quote by Winston Churchill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/e15/winston-churchill-95_barbarism_much-as-war-attracts-me-and-fascinates-m_68452.jpg)
