Admirable Quote by W. H. Auden
“Genealogies are admirable things, provided they do not encourage the curious delusion that some families are older than others.”
About This Quote
Source Poem: "The Unknown Citizen" (1930)
Genealogy is valuable but should not foster the false belief that some line are inherently superior.
In simple terms: Family trees are useful but not a basis for superiority.
Avoid using ancestry to justify inequality.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- academic research
- family gatherings
- social policy debates
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How do we celebrate heritage without creating hierarchies?
- What alternative ways can we value individuals?
Emphasizing lineage can still reinforce social divisions.