Quotes About Individualism

But further, Hobbesian individualism required that traditional independent social authorities be eliminated or suppressed. Benjamin Constant, who was a keen observer of the French Revolution, explained why: "The interests and memories which spring from local customs contain a germ of resistance which is so distasteful to authority that it hastens to uproot it. Authority finds private individuals easier game: its enormous weight can flatten them out effortlessly as if they were so much sand.

New Age glorifies the self; Christianity glorifies God.

liberty means the only lasting road to order and discipline and self-control. Once again, for the thousandth time, people needed to be reminded that the reign of the tyrant who imposes laws on human souls from the outside (even though that tyrant intends nothing but the best for his subjects and be called "teacher"), produces smothered rebellion,

It is we ourselves that we have to think about, no one else. That is the way the saints worked. They paid attention to what they were doing, and if others were attracted to them by their enterprise, why, well and good. But they looked to themselves first of all.

The strong could make their own law, live their own lives; in fact, they were beyond good and evil. What was good and what was evil? It is easy enough to stifle conscience for a time. The satisfied flesh has its own law.

The US was fully capable of catching up from behind. In Reed's view, free societies, whose people were raised with a can-do attitude and whose culture embraced individualistic, maverick approaches, could outpace scientists raised in tightly controlled totalitarian societies every time.

Secondly, I believe the pieces of the puzzle fit together to describe a people who tend to be more individualistic, with a do-it-myself mentality. Cascadians are, for example, less trusting of religious organizations, and place higher value on their own personal religious or spiritual beliefs. Cascadians think that they can make a difference in politics — outside of voting.

Andrew Grenville's tailored polling reveals Cascadians tend to be less trusting of religion and more tolerant of marijuana (see above) and homosexual relationships than others across the continent. Even though Cascadians' individualism could harm their chances of building strong communities, Grenville believes that their live-and-let-live attitude, optimism and self-responsibility could create a culture that serves as a beacon to the planet.

A father must beware the false dichotomy between individualism and "patriarchalism." The individualist says to each person in the family that responsibility begins and ends with him. Only one person can be responsible for one thing. The "patriarchalist" approach would agree and then say that the only person responsible in the family is the Boss Man. If he is responsible, then no one else can ever do anything freely. Both approaches are erroneous.

We all come from our own little planets. That's why we're all different. That's what makes life interesting.

If you are drawn to the left hand path, it's usually because you've had some kind of life experience that has shocked you, awakened you.

I came here to say that I do not recognize anyone's right to one minute of my life.

Faith, I am no such fool; everyone for himself in this desert of selfishness which is called life.

The Japanese see self-assertion as immoral and self- sacrifice as the sensible course to take in life.

I didn't really give a sh** what's going on in the rest of the world. I just didn't. I just wanted to focus on me, me, me, my career, my life, just me - blinders.

A secure individual...knows that the responsibility for anything concerning his life remains with himself-and he accepts that responsibility.

Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness: this triptych succinctly defines the attractiveness and superiority of Western civilization.

We grant no dukedoms to the few, We hold like rights and shall; Equal on Sunday in the pew, On Monday in the mall. For what avail the plough or sail, Or land, or life, if freedom fail?

An artist's most valuable asset is individuality.

But she has gathered that Americans, in spite of their public declarations of affection, in spite of their miniskirts and bikinis, in spite of their hand-holding on the street and lying on top of each other on the Cambridge Common, prefer their privacy.

Well, one of the most important things for Americans to be reminded of is that a lot of the exceptional nature of our country is founded in Judeo-Christian values that promotes individualism, personal responsibility, a strong work ethic, and a commitment to family, charity.

And as old Thomas Jefferson said, 'Those who hammer their guns into plows will plow for those who do not.' I hate to plow.

I'll take Heinlein over a headmistress any day.

I am. I think. I will. ... What must I say besides? These are the words. This is the answer.