--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Genealogies are admirable things…" description: "\"Genealogies are admirable things, provided they do not encourage the curious delusion that some families are older than others.\" — W. H. Auden" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/43a/w-h-auden-856_admirable_genealogies-are-admirable-things-provide_3111708.png" --- # Genealogies are admirable things, provided they do not… ![“Genealogies are admirable things, provided they do not encourage the curious delusion that some families are older than others.” quote by W. H. Auden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/43a/w-h-auden-856_admirable_genealogies-are-admirable-things-provide_3111708.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/43a/w-h-auden-856_admirable_genealogies-are-admirable-things-provide_3111708.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/43a/w-h-auden-856_admirable_genealogies-are-admirable-things-provide_3111708.png) > “Genealogies are admirable things, provided they do not encourage the curious delusion that some families are older than others.” [W. H. Auden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-h-auden/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. 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. Key Takeaway Avoid using ancestry to justify inequality. Themes heritage equality history Mood thoughtful critical Type philosophical ethical When to use this quote - academic research - family gatherings - social policy debates Key Concepts social hierarchy genetic determinism Questions to Reflect On - How do we celebrate heritage without creating hierarchies? - What alternative ways can we value individuals? A Different Perspective Emphasizing lineage can still reinforce social divisions. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Admirable](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/admirable/) [Admirable Things](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/admirable-things-5436023/) [Curious](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/curious/) [Delusion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/delusion/) [Families Older](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/families-older-5436024/) [Family](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/family/) [Genealogies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/genealogies-4101207/) [Genealogies Admirable](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/genealogies-admirable-5436022/) [Genealogy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/genealogy/) ## Related quotes > [If one looks into the genealogies of many 'old families,' one discovers episodes of slave trafficking, bootlegging, gun running, opium trading, falsified land claims,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-parenti/if-one-looks-into-the-genealogies-of-many-old-families-one-discovers/) [Michael Parenti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-parenti/) > [The first track is the end of a string. 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