Cities Quote by William Butler Yeats
“In the great cities we see so little of the world, we drift into our minority. In the little towns and villages there are no minorities; people are not numerous enough. You must see the world there, perforce. Every man is himself a class.”
About This Quote
Source Poem: "The World’s Mystery" (1913) by W. B. Yeats, early 20th century poetry
Yeats observes that in large cities diversity is hidden, while in small towns everyone stands out as a unique individual or a class.
In simple terms: Cities hide differences; small towns highlight individuality.
Key Takeaway
Seek understanding beyond surface appearances.
Themes
diversity
identity
community
Mood
contemplative
observational
Type
poetic
philosophical
When to use this quote
- travel experiences
- community building
- personal identity exploration
Key Concepts
social observation
human nature
urban vs rural
Questions to Reflect On
- What does being a "class" mean to you?
- How can we see unity in diversity?
A Different Perspective
May overlook common humanity across groups.
![“Just between you and me, shouldn’t the World Bank be encouraging MORE migration of the dirty industries to the LDCs [Less Developed Countries]?... I think the economic logic behind dumping a load of toxic waste in the lowest wage country is impeccable and we should face up to that... I’ve always…” quote by Lawrence Summers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/ac4/lawrence-summers-16940_air_just-between-you-and-me-shouldn-t-the-wo_4703.jpg)
