Adapt Quote by Roger Scruton
“A reactionary is fixed on the past and wanting to return to it; a conservative wishes to adapt what is best in the past to the changing circumstances of the present.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Meaning of Conservatism by Roger Scruton, 2005
A reactionary clings to old ways, while a conservative selectively preserves valuable traditions and adapts them to current realities.
In simple terms: Reactionaries resist change; conservatives evolve tradition.
Key Takeaway
Preserve useful past, adapt to present.
Themes
tradition
change
politics
Mood
reflective
analytical
Type
philosophical
political
When to use this quote
- policy making
- cultural debates
- personal values
- organizational change
Key Concepts
conservatism
historical context
adaptation
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you decide which traditions to keep?
- When is change necessary?
A Different Perspective
May overlook innovative solutions by over‑valuing past methods.
![“An artist must be a reactionary. He has to stand out against the tenor [group think] of the age and not go flopping along. By doing this he helps us to question and reassess our past, present and future situations, our assumptions and our options.” quote by Evelyn Waugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/4f8/evelyn-waugh-850_age_an-artist-must-be-a-reactionary-he-has-t_571484.jpg)
