---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Non-conformism is the major, perhaps the…"
description: "\"Non-conformism is the major, perhaps the only, sin of our time.\" — Robert M. Lindner"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ffc/robert-m-lindner-35487_conformism_non-conformism-is-the-major-perhaps-the_3111961.png"
---

#  Non-conformism is the major, perhaps the only, sin of our…

![“Non-conformism is the major, perhaps the only, sin of our time.” quote by Robert M. Lindner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ffc/robert-m-lindner-35487_conformism_non-conformism-is-the-major-perhaps-the_3111961.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ffc/robert-m-lindner-35487_conformism_non-conformism-is-the-major-perhaps-the_3111961.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ffc/robert-m-lindner-35487_conformism_non-conformism-is-the-major-perhaps-the_3111961.png)

> “Non-conformism is the major, perhaps the only, sin of our time.”

[Robert M. Lindner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-m-lindner/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Conformity is portrayed as a moral failing in modern society, urging individual authenticity.

**In simple terms:** Blindly following norms is a serious flaw.

Key Takeaway

Embrace your unique perspective.

Themes

individuality conformity morality society

Mood

reflective critical

Type

philosophical social commentary

When to use this quote

- workplace culture
- political activism
- personal relationships
- creative endeavors

Key Concepts

existentialism psychology social critique

Questions to Reflect On

- What personal beliefs do you suppress to fit in?
- How can you balance authenticity with social responsibility?

A Different Perspective

May overlook the value of shared norms that foster cohesion.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Conformism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conformism/) [Individualism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/individualism/) [Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) [Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love/) [Sin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sin/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/)

## Related quotes

> [“Conformism and non-conformism are symmetrical expressions of a lack of originality.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicolas-gomez-davila/conformism-and-non-conformism-are-symmetrical-expressions-of-a-lack/)

[Nicolás Gómez Dávila](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicolas-gomez-davila/)

> [“Human history is the ancient story of the umbilical conflict between a lone individual versus a cabalistic society. A love-hate relationship defines our personal…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kilroy-j-oldster/human-history-is-the-ancient-story-of-the-umbilical-conflict-between/)

[Kilroy J. Oldster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kilroy-j-oldster/)

> [“waiting was a sin against both the time that was still to come, and against the moments one was currently disregarding.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-gaiman/waiting-was-a-sin-against-both-the-time-that-was-still-to-come-and-2/)

[Neil Gaiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-gaiman/)

> [The sin of all time has been the exercise of assumed powers. This is the essence of tyranny.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victoria-woodhull/the-sin-of-all-time-has-been-the-exercise-of-assumed-powers-this-is/)

[Victoria Woodhull](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victoria-woodhull/)

> [“waiting was a sin against both the time that was still to come and the moments one was currently disregarding.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-gaiman/waiting-was-a-sin-against-both-the-time-that-was-still-to-come-and/)

[Neil Gaiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-gaiman/)

> [“Exploitation is considered as a major sin when it comes to socialism.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mwanandeke-kindembo/exploitation-is-considered-as-a-major-sin-when-it-comes-to-socialism/)

[Mwanandeke Kindembo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mwanandeke-kindembo/)

> [What is it that we are waiting for to happen in our lives that will finally make us stop engaging in major sin,harming people,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mufti-ismail-menk/what-is-it-that-we-are-waiting-for-to-happen-in-our-lives-that-will/)

[Mufti Ismail Menk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mufti-ismail-menk/)

> [Unkindness is quite a major sin.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-rhys-davies/unkindness-is-quite-a-major-sin/)

[John Rhys-Davies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-rhys-davies/)

> [“The major sin is the sin of being born.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-butler/the-major-sin-is-the-sin-of-being-born/)

[Samuel Butler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-butler/)

> [It seemed to Scobie that life was immeasurably long. Couldn’t the test of man have been carried out in fewer years? Couldn’t we have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/graham-greene/it-seemed-to-scobie-that-life-was-immeasurably-long-couldn-t-the-test/)

[Graham Greene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/graham-greene/)

> [It is considered a major sin to break a contract, if you agreed, especially with military situations.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-walker-lindh/it-is-considered-a-major-sin-to-break-a-contract-if-you-agreed/)

[John Walker Lindh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-walker-lindh/)

> [“Yeah,” Robertson nodded grimly. “It’s the whole problem, isn’t it? People just doing their jobs.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/krzysztof-pacy-ski/yeah-robertson-nodded-grimly-it-s-the-whole-problem-isn-t-it-people/)

[Krzysztof Pacyński](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/krzysztof-pacy-ski/)

> [In late modernity we grow more and more accustomed to politicians and public figures who are indebted to their appetites for their "values," to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenny-smith/in-late-modernity-we-grow-more-and-more-accustomed-to-politicians-and/)

[Kenny Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenny-smith/)

> [I make no concessions to conformism.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emmanuel-macron/i-make-no-concessions-to-conformism/)

[Emmanuel Macron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emmanuel-macron/)

> [ \[American\] conformism might approximate collectivism, not so much in economic respects, and not too much in political respects, but very much in the pattern… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-tillich/american-conformism-might-approximate-collectivism-not-so-much-in/)

[Paul Tillich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-tillich/)

## More by Robert M. Lindner

> [It is in solitude that the works of hand, heart and mind are always conceived, and in solitude that individuality must be affirmed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-m-lindner/it-is-in-solitude-that-the-works-of-hand-heart-and-mind-are-always/)

[Robert M. Lindner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-m-lindner/)

> [Conformity, humility, acceptance with these coins we are to pay our fares to paradise.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-m-lindner/conformity-humility-acceptance-with-these-coins-we-are-to-pay-our/)

[Robert M. Lindner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-m-lindner/)

> [As a dimension of man, rebellion actually defines him.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-m-lindner/as-a-dimension-of-man-rebellion-actually-defines-him/)

[Robert M. Lindner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-m-lindner/)

> [Adjustment, that synonym for conformity that comes more easily to the modern tongue, is the theme of our swan song, the piper's tune to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-m-lindner/adjustment-that-synonym-for-conformity-that-comes-more-easily-to-the/)

[Robert M. Lindner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-m-lindner/)

> [How protean are the devices available to human intelligence when it lends itself to the persistence of the conformist error.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-m-lindner/how-protean-are-the-devices-available-to-human-intelligence-when-it/)

[Robert M. Lindner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-m-lindner/)

> [We should not wonder at the success of communism, for so much of its success is rather that of religion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-m-lindner/we-should-not-wonder-at-the-success-of-communism-for-so-much-of-its/)

[Robert M. Lindner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-m-lindner/)

> [Schools vast factories for the manufacture of robots.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-m-lindner/schools-vast-factories-for-the-manufacture-of-robots/)

[Robert M. Lindner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-m-lindner/)

> [It is characteristic of all movements and crusades that the psychopathic element rises to the top.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-m-lindner/it-is-characteristic-of-all-movements-and-crusades-that-the/)

[Robert M. Lindner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-m-lindner/)

> [Only by being permitted to experience the consequences of his actions will the child acquire a sense of responsibility; and within the limits marked…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-m-lindner/only-by-being-permitted-to-experience-the-consequences-of-his-actions/)

[Robert M. Lindner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-m-lindner/)

> [What a person wills and not what they know determines their worth or unworth, power or impotence, happiness or unhappiness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-m-lindner/what-a-person-wills-and-not-what-they-know-determines-their-worth-or/)

[Robert M. Lindner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-m-lindner/)

> [In the crowd, herd, or gang, it is a mass-mind that operates-which is to say, a mind without subtlety, a mind without compassion, a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-m-lindner/in-the-crowd-herd-or-gang-it-is-a-mass-mind-that-operates-which-is-to/)

[Robert M. Lindner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-m-lindner/)

> [Mass Man, the universal psychopath, is born when the individual ego is weakened to the point at which it loses separate identity and is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-m-lindner/mass-man-the-universal-psychopath-is-born-when-the-individual-ego-is/)

[Robert M. Lindner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-m-lindner/)

[Explore all 13 Robert M. Lindner quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-m-lindner/)

## More Conformism quotes

> [ \[American\] conformism might approximate collectivism, not so much in economic respects, and not too much in political respects, but very much in the pattern… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-tillich/american-conformism-might-approximate-collectivism-not-so-much-in/)

[Paul Tillich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-tillich/)

> [I make no concessions to conformism.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emmanuel-macron/i-make-no-concessions-to-conformism/)

[Emmanuel Macron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emmanuel-macron/)

> [In late modernity we grow more and more accustomed to politicians and public figures who are indebted to their appetites for their "values," to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenny-smith/in-late-modernity-we-grow-more-and-more-accustomed-to-politicians-and/)

[Kenny Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenny-smith/)

> [“Yeah,” Robertson nodded grimly. “It’s the whole problem, isn’t it? People just doing their jobs.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/krzysztof-pacy-ski/yeah-robertson-nodded-grimly-it-s-the-whole-problem-isn-t-it-people/)

[Krzysztof Pacyński](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/krzysztof-pacy-ski/)

> [“Cowen detects conformism even in the liveliest Silicon Valley companies. Most of its denizens wear some variation on the casual hipster uniform and all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-luce/cowen-detects-conformism-even-in-the-liveliest-silicon-valley/)

[Edward Luce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-luce/)

> [Conformism is a potent statement, and as much as we do talk about individuality in fashion, there's a sense that people are fearful of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erin-o-connor/conformism-is-a-potent-statement-and-as-much-as-we-do-talk-about/)

[Erin O'Connor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erin-o-connor/)

> [“Human history is the ancient story of the umbilical conflict between a lone individual versus a cabalistic society. A love-hate relationship defines our personal…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kilroy-j-oldster/human-history-is-the-ancient-story-of-the-umbilical-conflict-between/)

[Kilroy J. Oldster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kilroy-j-oldster/)

> [The conformist understands that the reason of his desperate look for conformism is that he realises he is different and that he never accepted…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernardo-bertolucci/the-conformist-understands-that-the-reason-of-his-desperate-look-for/)

[Bernardo Bertolucci](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernardo-bertolucci/)

> [Violence represents the worst kind of conformism.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mario-vargas-llosa/violence-represents-the-worst-kind-of-conformism/)

[Mario Vargas Llosa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mario-vargas-llosa/)

> [Our Press and our schools cultivate Chauvinism, militarism, dogmatism, conformism and ignorance. The arbitrary power of the Government is unlimited, and unexampled in history;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-koestler/our-press-and-our-schools-cultivate-chauvinism-militarism-dogmatism/)

[Arthur Koestler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-koestler/)

> [“The private realm of the household was the sphere where the necessities of life, of individual survival as well as of continuity of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hannah-arendt/the-private-realm-of-the-household-was-the-sphere-where-the/)

[Hannah Arendt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hannah-arendt/)

> [“Institutions are “stable, valued, recurring patterns of behavior,” as Huntington put it, the most important function of which is to facilitate collective action. Without…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/institutions-are-stable-valued-recurring-patterns-of-behavior-as/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [“Some killed from murderous conviction. But many others who killed were just afraid to stand out. other forces were at work besides conformism. But…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-snyder/some-killed-from-murderous-conviction-but-many-others-who-killed-were/)

[Timothy Snyder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-snyder/)

> [“even there, where the rejection of the system is taken for granted and for that reason a lax and cunning conformism of its own…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodor-w-adorno/even-there-where-the-rejection-of-the-system-is-taken-for-granted-and/)

[Theodor W. Adorno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodor-w-adorno/)

> [We live in a true chaos of contradicting authorities, an age of conformism without community, of proximity without communication.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/germaine-greer/we-live-in-a-true-chaos-of-contradicting-authorities-an-age-of/)

[Germaine Greer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/germaine-greer/)

[Browse all 34 Conformism quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conformism/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "Non-conformism is the major, perhaps the only, sin of our time.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Robert M. Lindner"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-m-lindner/non-conformism-is-the-major-perhaps-the-only-sin-of-our-time/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Conformism"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-m-lindner/non-conformism-is-the-major-perhaps-the-only-sin-of-our-time/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ffc/robert-m-lindner-35487_conformism_non-conformism-is-the-major-perhaps-the_3111961.png",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ffc/robert-m-lindner-35487_conformism_non-conformism-is-the-major-perhaps-the_3111961.png",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ffc/robert-m-lindner-35487_conformism_non-conformism-is-the-major-perhaps-the_3111961.png",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“Non-conformism is the major, perhaps the only, sin of our time.” — Robert M. Lindner",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Robert M. Lindner",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-m-lindner/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "Non-conformism is the major, perhaps the...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-m-lindner/non-conformism-is-the-major-perhaps-the-only-sin-of-our-time/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-m-lindner/non-conformism-is-the-major-perhaps-the-only-sin-of-our-time/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
