Quotes from Peter Farb

Despite the theories traditionally taught in high-school social studies, the truth is: the more primitive the society, the more leisured its way of life.

In place of science, the Eskimo has only magic to bridge the gap between what he can understand and what is not known. Without magic, his life would be one long panic.

The environment does not determine man's culture; it merely sets the outer limits and at the same time offers opportunities.

Food to a large extent is what holds a society together, and eating is closely linked to deep spiritual experiences.

Gestures and facial expressions do indeed communicate, as anyone can prove by turning off the sound on a television set and asking watchers to characterize the speakers from the picture alone.

An inability to communicate has little to do with international friction-as is seen in the special ferocity of wars fought between people who speak the same language.

For a tribe to endure, it must find some way to achieve internal unity—and that way usually is external strife.

A human being cannot survive alone and be entirely human.