Breeding Quote by Yevgeny Zamyatin
““It is common knowledge that a well-bred man should as far as possible have no face. That is to say, not so much be completely without one, but rather, should have a face and yet at the same time appear faceless. It should not stand out, just as a shirt made by a good tailor does not stand out. Needless to say, the face of a well-bred man should be exactly like that of other (well-bred) men and of course in no circumstances whatsoever should it alter. Naturally houses, trees, streets, sky and everything else in the world must satisfy the same conditions to have honor of being known as respectable and well-bred.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: We by Yevgeny Zamyatin, 1921
Conformity is prized over individuality; blending in is seen as a mark of respectability.
In simple terms: Blend in to be respectable.
Key Takeaway
Value conformity over standing out.
Themes
conformity
respectability
social norms
Mood
reflective
critical
Type
philosophical
social commentary
When to use this quote
- urban planning
- fashion
- corporate culture
- social etiquette
- public behavior
Key Concepts
collectivism
identity suppression
Questions to Reflect On
- How does blending in affect personal authenticity?
- When is conformity beneficial?
A Different Perspective
Suppressing individuality can stifle creativity and personal growth.
![“Heretics are the only [bitter] remedy against the entropy of human thought. ("Literature, Revolution, and Entropy")” quote by Yevgeny Zamyatin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/b17/yevgeny-zamyatin-1218_art_heretics-are-the-only-bitter-remedy-agai_72896.jpg)
