--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Western civilisation, the élitists all…" description: "\"Western civilisation, the élitists all understood, is built upon discrimination: a culture that does not rest on discrimination, that penalises people ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d90/richard-davenport-hines-39588_built_western-civilisation-the-litists-all-und_2924493.jpg" --- # Western civilisation, the élitists all understood, is… ![“Western civilisation, the élitists all understood, is built upon discrimination: a culture that does not rest on discrimination, that penalises people who discriminate, or rewards the undiscriminating, is worth very little and has only callow, childish pleasures.” quote by Richard Davenport-Hines](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d90/richard-davenport-hines-39588_built_western-civilisation-the-litists-all-und_2924493.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d90/richard-davenport-hines-39588_built_western-civilisation-the-litists-all-und_2924493.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d90/richard-davenport-hines-39588_built_western-civilisation-the-litists-all-und_2924493.jpg) > “Western civilisation, the élitists all understood, is built upon discrimination: a culture that does not rest on discrimination, that penalises people who discriminate, or rewards the undiscriminating, is worth very little and has only callow, childish pleasures.” [Richard Davenport-Hines](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-davenport-hines/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Western culture rests on discrimination; without it, it loses depth and becomes childish. **In simple terms:** Discrimination underpins Western culture. Key Takeaway Recognize the role of hierarchy in society. Themes society hierarchy culture Mood critical reflective Type philosophical analytical When to use this quote - politics - education - media - social policy Key Concepts sociology history Questions to Reflect On - Is all hierarchy harmful? - How can culture thrive without discrimination? A Different Perspective Discrimination can be oppressive. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Civilisation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/civilisation/) [Culture](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/culture/) [Discrimination](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/discrimination/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Pleasure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pleasure/) [Proust](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/proust/) [Racism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/racism/) [Rewards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rewards/) [Western](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/western/) ## Related quotes > [Western civilisation needs a complete overhaul or it will fall apart one day or another. 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