--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The permissive society has been allowed…" description: "\"The permissive society has been allowed to become a dirty phrase. A better phrase is the civilised society\" — Roy Jenkins" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/791/roy-jenkins-30768_civilised_the-permissive-society-has-been-allowed_974465.png" --- # The permissive society has been allowed to become a dirty… ![“The permissive society has been allowed to become a dirty phrase. A better phrase is the civilised society” quote by Roy Jenkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/791/roy-jenkins-30768_civilised_the-permissive-society-has-been-allowed_974465.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/791/roy-jenkins-30768_civilised_the-permissive-society-has-been-allowed_974465.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/791/roy-jenkins-30768_civilised_the-permissive-society-has-been-allowed_974465.png) > “The permissive society has been allowed to become a dirty phrase. A better phrase is the civilised society” [Roy Jenkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roy-jenkins/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The term "permissive society" has become a derogatory label; calling it a "civilised society" reframes it positively. **In simple terms:** Changing language can shift perception of society. Key Takeaway Use more constructive language. Themes language society perception Mood critical thoughtful Type analytical reflective When to use this quote - public debate - media analysis - policy discussion Key Concepts framing political discourse Questions to Reflect On - How does terminology affect public opinion? - Can rebranding change policy outcomes? A Different Perspective Labels can oversimplify complex realities. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Civilised](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/civilised/) [Civilised society](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/civilised-society/) [Dirty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dirty/) [Dirty Phrase](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dirty-phrase-1894645/) [Permissive Society](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/permissive-society-1894642/) [Phrase Civilised](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/phrase-civilised-1894643/) [Society Allowed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/society-allowed-1894644/) ## Related quotes > [This extraordinary metal, the soul of every manufacture, and the mainspring perhaps of civilised society. Of iron.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-smiles/this-extraordinary-metal-the-soul-of-every-manufacture-and-the/) [Samuel Smiles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-smiles/) > [To play with baubles is our ambition, not to deal with grave questions in a spirit of serious energy. But while we are playing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sri-aurobindo/to-play-with-baubles-is-our-ambition-not-to-deal-with-grave-questions/) [Sri Aurobindo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sri-aurobindo/) > [The sign of a civilised society is how we treat the most vulnerable and our social care system is not up to scratch.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-hancock/the-sign-of-a-civilised-society-is-how-we-treat-the-most-vulnerable/) [Matt Hancock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-hancock/) > [The vigour of civilised societies is preserved by the widespread sense that high aims are worth while. Vigorous societies harbour a certain extravagance of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfred-north-whitehead/the-vigour-of-civilised-societies-is-preserved-by-the-widespread/) [Alfred North Whitehead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfred-north-whitehead/) > [Pretending is the basis of civilised society, and it is sometimes necessary for all of us. Without it we are nothing more than a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-lindsay/pretending-is-the-basis-of-civilised-society-and-it-is-sometimes/) [Jeff Lindsay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-lindsay/) > [The vigor of civilized societies is preserved by the widespread sense that high aims are worth-while.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfred-north-whitehead/the-vigor-of-civilized-societies-is-preserved-by-the-widespread-sense/) [Alfred North Whitehead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfred-north-whitehead/) > [I am a very, very strong advocate of the notion that we shouldn't equate the arts with other aspects of infrastructure. They have a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-brandis/i-am-a-very-very-strong-advocate-of-the-notion-that-we-shouldn-t/) [George Brandis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-brandis/) > [I think you will agree the sign of a civilised society is a regular dining schedule.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philippa-ballantine/i-think-you-will-agree-the-sign-of-a-civilised-society-is-a-regular/) [Philippa Ballantine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philippa-ballantine/) > [It is so far from being natural for a man and woman to live in a state of marriage, that we find all the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/it-is-so-far-from-being-natural-for-a-man-and-woman-to-live-in-a/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [Vigorous societies harbor a certain extravagance of objectives, so that men wander beyond the safe provision of personal gratifications.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfred-north-whitehead/vigorous-societies-harbor-a-certain-extravagance-of-objectives-so/) [Alfred North Whitehead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfred-north-whitehead/) > [Vigorous societies harbour a certain extravagance of objectives.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfred-north-whitehead/vigorous-societies-harbour-a-certain-extravagance-of-objectives/) [Alfred North Whitehead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfred-north-whitehead/) > [Sex is probably one of the last forms of human expression to enjoy such a direct connection with nature. It might be the primary…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-koerfer/sex-is-probably-one-of-the-last-forms-of-human-expression-to-enjoy/) [Thomas Koerfer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-koerfer/) > [As a civilised society, we have a duty to support those among us who are vulnerable and in need. When times are hard, that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justin-welby/as-a-civilised-society-we-have-a-duty-to-support-those-among-us-who/) [Justin Welby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justin-welby/) > [We consider ourselves to be free because no one in our society is allowed unlimited powerno leader, faction, party or 'class', no majority, no…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-joseph-oakeshott/we-consider-ourselves-to-be-free-because-no-one-in-our-society-is/) [Michael Joseph Oakeshott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-joseph-oakeshott/) > [“A society where you’re not allowed to blow your own trumpet is so much more nuanced, sophisticated and interesting than the grim world of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-mitchell/a-society-where-you-re-not-allowed-to-blow-your-own-trumpet-is-so/) [David Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-mitchell/) ## More by Roy Jenkins > [The most moving speech I have ever heard was Hugh Gaitskell saying he would 'fight, fight and fight again to save the party we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roy-jenkins/the-most-moving-speech-i-have-ever-heard-was-hugh-gaitskell-saying-he/) [Roy Jenkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roy-jenkins/) > [A substantial extension of public ownership is an essential pre-requisite of greater equality of earned income](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roy-jenkins/a-substantial-extension-of-public-ownership-is-an-essential-pre/) [Roy Jenkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roy-jenkins/) > [Inheritance Tax; - it is, broadly speaking; a voluntary levy paid by those who distrust their heirs more than they dislike the Inland Revenue](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roy-jenkins/inheritance-tax-it-is-broadly-speaking-a-voluntary-levy-paid-by-those/) [Roy Jenkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roy-jenkins/) > [A social democratic party without deep roots in the working class movement would quickly fade into an unrepresentative intellectual sect](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roy-jenkins/a-social-democratic-party-without-deep-roots-in-the-working-class/) [Roy Jenkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roy-jenkins/) > [There is a lot of talk about a centre party - and that I might lead it. I find this idea profoundly unattractive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roy-jenkins/there-is-a-lot-of-talk-about-a-centre-party-and-that-i-might-lead-it/) [Roy Jenkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roy-jenkins/) > [The Labour Party is and always has been an instinctive part of my life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roy-jenkins/the-labour-party-is-and-always-has-been-an-instinctive-part-of-my-life/) [Roy Jenkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roy-jenkins/) > [I therefore believe that the politics of the left and centre of this country are frozen in an out-of-date mould which is bad for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roy-jenkins/i-therefore-believe-that-the-politics-of-the-left-and-centre-of-this/) [Roy Jenkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roy-jenkins/) > [Each successive Labour Government has been the most rapacious, doctrinaire and unpatriotic conspiracy to be seen this side of the Iron Curtain.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roy-jenkins/each-successive-labour-government-has-been-the-most-rapacious/) [Roy Jenkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roy-jenkins/) > [Many of the early nationalisation measures were right. They have remained part of the social fabric. I favour measures of that type.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roy-jenkins/many-of-the-early-nationalisation-measures-were-right-they-have/) [Roy Jenkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roy-jenkins/) > [We must not expect a full-scale peaceful revolution every time a Labour Government is elected](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roy-jenkins/we-must-not-expect-a-full-scale-peaceful-revolution-every-time-a/) [Roy Jenkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roy-jenkins/) > [I am sure Mr Heath thinks he is honest but I wish he didn't have to have his friends say it so often.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roy-jenkins/i-am-sure-mr-heath-thinks-he-is-honest-but-i-wish-he-didn-t-have-to/) [Roy Jenkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roy-jenkins/) > [The fact is that Harold Wilson is a person no one can like, a person without friends.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roy-jenkins/the-fact-is-that-harold-wilson-is-a-person-no-one-can-like-a-person/) [Roy Jenkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roy-jenkins/) > [There are always great dangers in letting the best be the enemy of the good.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roy-jenkins/there-are-always-great-dangers-in-letting-the-best-be-the-enemy-of/) [Roy Jenkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roy-jenkins/) > [The great disadvantage of our present electoral system is that it freezes the pattern of politics, and holds together the incompatible because everyone assumes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roy-jenkins/the-great-disadvantage-of-our-present-electoral-system-is-that-it/) [Roy Jenkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roy-jenkins/) > [I do not think you can push public expenditure significantly above 60 per cent and maintain the values of a plural society with adequate…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roy-jenkins/i-do-not-think-you-can-push-public-expenditure-significantly-above-60/) [Roy Jenkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roy-jenkins/) [Explore all 16 Roy Jenkins quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roy-jenkins/) ## More Civilised quotes > [Even today to be civilised is held to be synonymous with being westernised. Advanced countries devote large resources to formulating and spreading ideas and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/indira-gandhi/even-today-to-be-civilised-is-held-to-be-synonymous-with-being/) [Indira Gandhi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/indira-gandhi/) > [Civilised my syphilised yarbles.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-burgess/civilised-my-syphilised-yarbles/) [Anthony Burgess](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-burgess/) > [On this waterlogged landscape…are scattered palaces and hovels…It is here that the human spirit becomes perfect, and at the same time brutalised, that civilisation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexis-de-tocqueville/on-this-waterlogged-landscape-are-scattered-palaces-and-hovels-it-is/) [Alexis de Tocqueville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexis-de-tocqueville/) > [When we get civilised, I believe children will go by number until they get old enough to choose their own names.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/myrtle-reed/when-we-get-civilised-i-believe-children-will-go-by-number-until-they/) [Myrtle Reed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/myrtle-reed/) > [This extraordinary metal, the soul of every manufacture, and the mainspring perhaps of civilised society. Of iron.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-smiles/this-extraordinary-metal-the-soul-of-every-manufacture-and-the/) [Samuel Smiles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-smiles/) > [The civilised cultures are the most cruel. It's the same with education - often it breeds sadistic forms of cruelty.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nellie-mckay/the-civilised-cultures-are-the-most-cruel-it-s-the-same-with/) [Nellie McKay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nellie-mckay/) > [This generation may either be the last to exist in any semblance of a civilised world or that it will be the first to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-st-barbe-baker/this-generation-may-either-be-the-last-to-exist-in-any-semblance-of-a/) [Richard St. Barbe Baker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-st-barbe-baker/) > [Bombing is not especially inhumane. War itself is inhumane and the bombing plane, which is used to paralyse industry and transport, is a relatively…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-orwell/bombing-is-not-especially-inhumane-war-itself-is-inhumane-and-the/) [George Orwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-orwell/) > [I suffered most inconvenience from the difficulty of getting news from the civilised world down river, from the irregularity of receipt of letters, parcels…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-walter-bates/i-suffered-most-inconvenience-from-the-difficulty-of-getting-news/) [Henry Walter Bates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-walter-bates/) > [Architecture, sculpture, painting, music, and poetry, may truly be called the efflorescence of civilised life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herbert-spencer/architecture-sculpture-painting-music-and-poetry-may-truly-be-called/) [Herbert Spencer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herbert-spencer/) > [You get the feeling that many of my guests feel that the French language gives them entry into a more cultivated, more intelligent world,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernard-pivot/you-get-the-feeling-that-many-of-my-guests-feel-that-the-french/) [Bernard Pivot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernard-pivot/) > [All civilised countries should unite in the fight against international terrorism.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vladimir-putin/all-civilised-countries-should-unite-in-the-fight-against/) [Vladimir Putin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vladimir-putin/) > [The true savage is a slave, and is always talking about what he must do; the true civilised man is a free man, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gilbert-k-chesterton/the-true-savage-is-a-slave-and-is-always-talking-about-what-he-must/) [Gilbert K. Chesterton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gilbert-k-chesterton/) > [The point about zero is that we do not need to use it in the operations of daily life. No one goes out to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfred-north-whitehead/the-point-about-zero-is-that-we-do-not-need-to-use-it-in-the/) [Alfred North Whitehead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfred-north-whitehead/) > [Sex is probably one of the last forms of human expression to enjoy such a direct connection with nature. It might be the primary…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-koerfer/sex-is-probably-one-of-the-last-forms-of-human-expression-to-enjoy/) [Thomas Koerfer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-koerfer/) [Browse all 122 Civilised quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/civilised/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The permissive society has been allowed to become a dirty phrase. 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