Barbarism Quote by Thorstein Veblen
“The institution of a leisure class has emerged gradually during the transition from primitive savagery to barbarism; or more precisely, during the transition from a peaceable to a consistently warlike habit of life.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: Theory of the Leisure Class, 1899
Leisure emerged as societies shifted from peaceful to warlike habits, linking idleness with status.
In simple terms: Warlike habits created a leisure class.
Key Takeaway
Question the value of idle status.
Themes
class
leisure
war
civilization
Mood
analytical
skeptical
Type
philosophical
critical
When to use this quote
- modern consumer culture
- military societies
- social stratification
Key Concepts
sociology
economic theory
Questions to Reflect On
- Is leisure always a sign of progress?
- How does militarism shape social hierarchy?
A Different Perspective
Leisure can become a tool for oppression.
![“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)
![“[Much] as war attracts me and fascinates my mind with its tremendous situations, I feel more deeply every year . . . what vile and wicked folly and barbarism it all is.” quote by Winston Churchill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/e15/winston-churchill-95_barbarism_much-as-war-attracts-me-and-fascinates-m_68452.jpg)
