The march of invention has clothed mankind with powers of which a century ago the boldest imagination could not have dreamt.
Henry GeorgeRead
Progressive societies outgrow institutions as children outgrow clothes.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Societies evolve and change over time, much like how children need new clothes as they grow.
Henry George's quote suggests that societal institutions, much like clothing for a child, are not meant to be permanent; they should evolve as society matures. As children grow physically and their needs change, so too do the structures of society need to adapt to the changing realities, values, and needs of its people. This viewpoint highlights the importance of flexibility and progress in societal development.
Themes
ChangeSocietyEvolutionAdaptationGrowth
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about education reform, one could use this quote to emphasize the need for evolving educational institutions.
More from Henry George
All quotes →It is not the business of government to make men virtuous or religious, or to preserve the fool from the consequences of his own folly. Government should be repressive no further than is necessary to secure liberty by protecting the equal rights of each from aggression on the part of others, and the moment governmental prohibitions extend beyond this line they are in danger of defeating the very ends they are intended to serve.
Henry GeorgeRead
Poorly paid labor is inefficient labor, the world over.
Henry GeorgeRead
The protection of the masses has in all times been the pretense of tyranny - the plea of monarchy, of aristocracy, of special privilege of every kind. The slave owners justified slavery as protecting the slaves.
Henry GeorgeRead
So long as all the increased wealth which modern progress brings goes but to build up great fortunes, to increase luxury and make sharper the contrast between the House of Have and the House of Want, progress is not real and cannot be permanent.
Henry GeorgeRead
Compare society to a boat. Her progress through the water will not depend upon the exertion of her crew, but upon the exertion devoted to propelling her. This will be lessened by any expenditure of force in fighting among themselves, or in pulling in different directions.
Henry GeorgeRead
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