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Culture is worth a little risk.
Norman Mailer
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Interpretation

What this quote means

Engaging with and preserving culture may involve risks, but it is ultimately valuable.

Norman Mailer's quote suggests that while there may be uncertainties and dangers associated with embracing or promoting culture, the inherent worth and benefits of cultural engagement justify taking those risks. It emphasizes the importance of culture in society and how stepping outside of one's comfort zone can lead to greater understanding and appreciation.

Themes

CultureRiskValueEngagementWorth

In practice

Example use cases

In a speech about the importance of community arts programs, one might say, 'As Norman Mailer put it, culture is worth a little risk.'

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At bottom, I mean profoundly at bottom, the FBI has nothing to do with Communism, it has nothing to do with catching criminals, it has nothing to do with the Mafia, the syndicate, it has nothing to do with trust-busting, it has nothing to do with interstate commerce, it has nothing to do with anything but serving as a church for the mediocre. A high church for the true mediocre.
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