Achievement Quote by Roger Kimball
“What the historian Elie Kedourie called "the Chatham House Version" - that toxic amalgam of smugness, moral relativism, and cherished feelings of guilt about the achievements of Western civilization - everywhere nurtured the catechism of established opinion.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: "The Chatham House Version" by Roger Kimball, 2021
The quote critiques a Western mindset that mixes smugness, moral relativism, and guilt, which sustains prevailing opinions.
In simple terms: Western guilt and smugness mask deeper issues, keeping old ideas alive.
Recognize and challenge complacent narratives.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- academic debates
- media analysis
- public discourse
- education curricula
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- What fuels the guilt about Western achievements?
- How can we foster honest self‑critique?
Overcoming entrenched beliefs can be socially resistant.