Aggressive Quote by Robert Ardrey
“The city is a cultural invention enforcing on the citizen knowledge of his own nature. And this we do not like. That we are aggressive beings, easily given to violence; that we get along together because we must more than because we want to, and that the brotherhood of man is about as far from reality today as it was two thousand years ago; that reason's realm is small; that we never have been and never shall be created equal; that if the human being is perfectible, he has so far exhibited few symptoms - all are considerations of man from which space tends to protect us.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Social Contract of the City, Robert Ardrey, 1970
Society shapes individuals, imposing artificial identities that mask innate aggression and inequality, while the ideal of universal brotherhood remains distant.
In simple terms: Cities shape us, hiding our true nature and equality.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and challenge societal constructs.
Themes
society
identity
aggression
equality
philosophy
Mood
critical
reflective
Type
analytical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- urban planning
- education
- policy making
- community building
Key Concepts
social contract
human nature
cultural constructs
Questions to Reflect On
- How do city structures influence personal behavior?
- Can true equality ever be achieved in modern societies?
A Different Perspective
Human nature may resist change despite structural reforms.
![“I think the president's [Barack Obama] position has been very clear on Syria. He wants more aggressive, he's put the Special Ops on the ground, in fact one of the Republican criticisms is he's got thousands of Americans there. We just don't call them troops on the ground, we don't admit to it. But…” quote by Juan Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/f9c/juan-williams-7909_aggressive_i-think-the-president-s-barack-obama-pos_17086.jpg)
