Community Quote by S. I. Hayakawa
“We live in a highly competitive society, each of us trying to outdo the other in wealth, in popularity or social prestige, in dress, in scholastic grades or golf scores. One is often tempted to say that conflict, rather than cooperation, is the great governing principle of human life.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Language in Thought and Action, S. I. Hayakawa, 1949
Society pushes individuals to constantly compare and compete, making conflict seem like the dominant rule of human interaction.
In simple terms: People feel pressured to outdo each other, seeing conflict as natural.
Key Takeaway
Recognize cooperation as a viable alternative.
Themes
competition
social comparison
conflict
cooperation
status seeking
Mood
reflective
critical
analytical
Type
observational
philosophical
When to use this quote
- Workplace performance reviews
- academic grading
- social media influence
- sports rankings
Key Concepts
Social psychology
status anxiety
zero‑sum thinking
Questions to Reflect On
- How might you shift focus from outdoing to supporting others?
- When does competition become constructive?
A Different Perspective
Competition can also foster collaboration when goals align.
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