Appeals Quote by Ruth Benedict
“... with every Asiatic country where we operate in cooperation with the existing culture, the need for intelligent understanding of that country and its ways of life will be crucial. These nations will very likely not respond to appeals with which we are familiar, and not value rewards which seem to us irresistible. The danger--and it would be fatal to world peace--is that in our ignorance of their cultural values we shall meet in head-on collision and incontinently fall back on the old pattern of imposing our own values by force.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Lecture on Cultural Relativism, 1930s
Understanding a culture’s values is essential to peaceful interaction; ignorance leads to conflict and forced imposition.
In simple terms: Know cultures to avoid conflict.
Key Takeaway
Learn local values before acting.
Themes
cultural understanding
peace
conflict
relativism
communication
Mood
thoughtful
cautious
Type
advisory
reflective
When to use this quote
- diplomacy
- international business
- development aid
- peace negotiations
- education programs
Key Concepts
anthropology
ethics
cross‑cultural competence
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we assess cultural values accurately?
- What safeguards prevent imposing our own norms?
A Different Perspective
Assuming one’s own values are universal can cause harm.
