The way people in democracies think of the government as something different from themselves is a real handicap. And, of course, sometimes the government confirms their opinion.
About Lewis Mumford
Lewis Mumfordwas an American historian, sociologist, philosopher of technology, and literary critic. Particularly noted for his study of cities and urban architecture, he had a broad career as a writer.
More quotes from Lewis Mumford
The chief function of the city is to convert power into form, energy into culture, dead matter into the living symbols of art, biological reproduction into social creativity.
American historian, sociologist, philosopher of technology and literary critic (1895-1990)
However far modern science and techniques have fallen short of their inherent possibilities, they have taught mankind at least one lesson; nothing is impossible.
American historian, sociologist, philosopher of technology and literary critic (1895-1990)
Don’t take the will for the deed; get the deed.
American historian, sociologist, philosopher of technology and literary critic (1895-1990)
To curb the machine and limit art to handicraft is a denial of opportunity.
American historian, sociologist, philosopher of technology and literary critic (1895-1990)
War is the supreme drama of a completely mechanized society.
American historian, sociologist, philosopher of technology and literary critic (1895-1990)
The earth is the Lord’s fullness thereof: this is no longer a hollow dictum of religion, but a directive for economic action toward human brotherhood.
American historian, sociologist, philosopher of technology and literary critic (1895-1990)
Nothing is unthinkable, nothing impossible to the balanced person, provided it comes out of the needs of life and is dedicated to life’s further development.
American historian, sociologist, philosopher of technology and literary critic (1895-1990)
One of the functions of intelligence is to take account of the dangers that come from trusting solely to the intelligence.
American historian, sociologist, philosopher of technology and literary critic (1895-1990)
The cities and mansions that people dream of are those in which they finally live.
American historian, sociologist, philosopher of technology and literary critic (1895-1990)
Today, the degradation of the inner life is symbolized by the fact that the only place sacred from interruption is the private toilet.
American historian, sociologist, philosopher of technology and literary critic (1895-1990)
Traditionalists are pessimists about the future and optimists about the past.
American historian, sociologist, philosopher of technology and literary critic (1895-1990)
The way people in democracies think of the government as something different from themselves is a real handicap. And, of course, sometimes the government confirms their opinion.
American historian, sociologist, philosopher of technology and literary critic (1895-1990)
Life is the only art that we are required to practice without preparation, and without being allowed the preliminary trials, the failures and botches, that are essential for training.
American historian, sociologist, philosopher of technology and literary critic (1895-1990)
A day spent without the sight or sound of beauty, the contemplation of mystery, or the search of truth or perfection is a poverty-stricken day; and a succession of such days is fatal to human life.
American historian, sociologist, philosopher of technology and literary critic (1895-1990)
Without fullness of experience, length of days is nothing. When fullness of life has been achieved, shortness of days is nothing. That is perhaps why the young have usually so little fear of death; they live by intensities that the elderly have forgotten.
American historian, sociologist, philosopher of technology and literary critic (1895-1990)
New York is the perfect model of a city, not the model of a perfect city.
American historian, sociologist, philosopher of technology and literary critic (1895-1990)
Our national flower is the concrete cloverleaf.
American historian, sociologist, philosopher of technology and literary critic (1895-1990)
A man of courage never needs weapons, but he may need bail.
American historian, sociologist, philosopher of technology and literary critic (1895-1990)
Forget the damned motor car and build the cities for lovers and friends.
American historian, sociologist, philosopher of technology and literary critic (1895-1990)
Every generation revolts against its fathers and makes friends with its grandfathers.
American historian, sociologist, philosopher of technology and literary critic (1895-1990)
Restore human legs as a means of travel. Pedestrians rely on food for fuel and need no special parking facilities.
American historian, sociologist, philosopher of technology and literary critic (1895-1990)
Every new baby is a blind desperate vote for survival: people who find themselves unable to register an effective political protest against extermination do so by a biological act.
American historian, sociologist, philosopher of technology and literary critic (1895-1990)
Today, the notion of progress in a single line without goal or limit seems perhaps the most parochial notion of a very parochial century.
American historian, sociologist, philosopher of technology and literary critic (1895-1990)
A certain amount of opposition is a great help to a man. Kites rise against, not with, the wind.
American historian, sociologist, philosopher of technology and literary critic (1895-1990)
The artist does not illustrate science (but) he frequently responds to the same interests that a scientist does.
American historian, sociologist, philosopher of technology and literary critic (1895-1990)
The vast material displacements the machine has made in our physical environment are perhaps in the long run less important than its spiritual contributions to our culture.
American historian, sociologist, philosopher of technology and literary critic (1895-1990)
It has not been for nothing that the word has remained man’s principal toy and tool: without the meanings and values it sustains, all man’s other tools would be worthless.
American historian, sociologist, philosopher of technology and literary critic (1895-1990)