Of what does politics consist except the making of imperfect decisions, many of them unjust and quite a few of them deadly?
Lewis H. LaphamRead
A society that presumes a norm of violence and celebrates aggression, whether in the subway, on the football field, or in the conduct of its business, cannot help making celebrities of the people who would destroy it.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote suggests that a society that normalizes violence and aggression ultimately empowers those who perpetuate destruction.
Lapham's quote critiques a societal norm that glorifies violence and aggression in various aspects of life, from public transportation to sports and business. He warns that such a culture not only makes these aggressive behaviors acceptable but also elevates those who embody and promote violence to a position of celebrity, undermining the fabric of society itself.
Themes
ViolenceAggressionSocietyCelebrityCritique
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion on media influence, one might reference this quote to illustrate the dangers of normalizing violence.
More from Lewis H. Lapham
All quotes →Under the rules of a society that cannot distinguish between profit and profiteering, between money defined as necessity and money defined as luxury, murder is occasionally obligatory and always permissible.
Lewis H. LaphamRead
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