The sun, the moon and the stars would have disappeared long ago... had they happened to be within the reach of predatory human hands.
Havelock EllisRead
Life is livable because we know that wherever we go most of the people we meet will be restrained in their actions towards us by an almost instinctive network of taboos.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Our lives are shaped by social norms and restrictions that guide people's behavior towards us.
This quote highlights the underlying social structures, often invisible yet powerful, that govern human interactions. Havelock Ellis suggests that the adherence to social taboos and customs provides a sense of predictability and safety in our relationships with others, thereby making life manageable and livable, as individuals navigate their encounters with a shared understanding of acceptable behavior.
Themes
Social NormsTaboosHuman BehaviorLifeRelationships
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion about the importance of social etiquette, this quote can illustrate how societal norms help maintain harmony.
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