No one is innocent after the experience of governing. But not everyone is guilty.
Daniel Patrick MoynihanRead
The central conservative truth is that it is culture, not politics, that determines the success of a society. The central liberal truth is that politics can change a culture and save it from itself.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Culture is the foundation of society's success, while politics has the power to influence and improve culture.
This quote by Daniel Patrick Moynihan highlights a fundamental tension between conservatism and liberalism. It suggests that the core strength of a society comes from its cultural values and traditions, which shape collective success. At the same time, it acknowledges that political actions and policies can have a significant impact on culture, potentially steering it towards positive transformation. The interplay between culture and politics is crucial for understanding social dynamics and the evolution of societies.
Themes
CulturePoliticsSocietySuccessChange
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion on social change at a community forum.
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We must not let ourselves be seen as rushing around the world looking for arguments... Nor should we let ourselves be seen as ignoring allies, disillusioning friends, thinking only of ourselves in the most narrow terms. That is not how we survived the 20th century. Nor will it serve in the 21st.
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