Societies

Famous quotes containing the word societies:

    As societies grow decadent, the language grows decadent, too. Words are used to disguise, not to illuminate, action: you liberate a city by destroying it. Words are to confuse, so that at election time people will solemnly vote against their own interests.
    Gore Vidal (b. 1925)

    Modern equalitarian societies ... whether democratic or authoritarian in their political forms, always base themselves on the claim that they are making life happier.... Happiness thus becomes the chief political issue—in a sense, the only political issue—and for that reason it can never be treated as an issue at all.
    Robert Warshow (1917–1955)

    In countries where associations are free, secret societies are unknown. In America there are factions, but no conspiracies.
    Alexis de Tocqueville (1805–1859)