Age Quote by Theodore Dalrymple
“Obesity is the result of a loss of self-control. Indeed, loss of self-control might be said to be the defining social (or anti-social) characteristic of our age: public drunkenness, excessive gambling, promiscuity and common-or-garden rudeness are all examples of our collective loss of self-control.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Age of Self-Indulgence, 2005
Society increasingly rewards impulsive, short‑term gratification, eroding personal restraint and collective responsibility.
In simple terms: Self‑control is eroding in modern life.
Key Takeaway
Cultivate discipline and community standards.
Themes
self‑control
social decay
modernity
Mood
critical
reflective
Type
analytical
commentary
When to use this quote
- public policy
- education
- personal development
- family dynamics
Key Concepts
behavioral economics
psychology
culture
Questions to Reflect On
- How can institutions reinforce self‑control?
- What role does technology play in weakening restraint?
A Different Perspective
Self‑control alone cannot fix systemic issues.
