Civilized Quote by Steven Pinker
““In this way of thinking, the fact that women show a lot of skin or that men curse in public is not a sign of cultural decay. On the contrary, it's a sign that they live in a society that is so civilized that they don't have to fear being harassed or assaulted in response.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Better Angels of Our Nature by Steven Pinker, 2011
Cultural freedom allows people to express themselves openly without fear of violent backlash, indicating a mature, tolerant society.
In simple terms: Open expression shows societal maturity.
Key Takeaway
Value and protect civil liberties.
Themes
tolerance
freedom
civilization
gender norms
Mood
optimistic
reflective
Type
analytical
observational
When to use this quote
- public speaking
- media coverage
- social media
- educational curricula
Key Concepts
social psychology
civil rights
public discourse
Questions to Reflect On
- How does free expression affect gender dynamics?
- What safeguards ensure safety alongside liberty?
A Different Perspective
Even in tolerant societies, harassment still occurs, requiring active safeguards.
![“That country [Carthage] was rapidly sinking into the state of barbarism from whence it had been raised by the Phoenician colonies and Roman laws; and every step of intestine discord was marked by some deplorable victory of savage man over civilized society.” quote by Edward Gibbon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/70c/edward-gibbon-710_barbarism_that-country-carthage-was-rapidly-sinkin_393.jpg)
