First in violence, deepest in dirt, lawless, unlovely, ill-smelling, irreverent, new; an overgrown gawk of a - village, the "tough" among cities, a spectacle for the nation.
Interpretation
This quote reflects on the chaotic and often unappealing aspects of a city that embodies toughness amidst societal challenges.
Lincoln Steffens describes a city that starkly represents the struggles and raw realities of urban life. By using vivid imagery and contrasting adjectives, he captures the essence of a place that is marred by violence and neglect yet possesses a unique character that stands out in the national landscape. The description signifies a reality that, despite its flaws, is vibrant and noteworthy, offering insights into the complexities of urban existence.
In practice
In a discussion about urban development, one might quote this to illustrate the gritty reality of some cities.
Whenever anything extraordinary is done in American municipal politics, whether for good or for evil, you can trace it almost invariably to one man. The people do not do it. Neither do the 'gangs,' 'combines,' or political parties.
Most men think graft a sporadic evil, breaking out here and there, with no connection between outbreaks. I shared the same opinion, but very soon I discovered that the graft in the cities always leads to the graft in the State.
This dying forces you to look into yourself. And in this, compassion is the only way. Love is the only way.
One certain effect of war is to diminish freedom of expression. Patriotism becomes the order of the day, and those who question the war are seen as traitors, to be silenced and imprisoned.
It is I, the ungodly Zarathustra, who says:Who is more ungodly than I, that I may rejoice in his teaching?
I don't like purely philosophical works. I think a little philosophy should be added to life and art by way of seasoning, but to make it one's specialty seems to me as strange as eating nothing but horseradish." - Lara, from Doctor Zhivago
Ask yourself: Does this appearance (of events) concern the things that are within my own control or those that are not? If it concerns anything outside your control, train yourself not to worry about it.
We must not be surprised when we hear of murders, killings, of wars, or of hatred...If a mother can kill her own child, what is left but for us to kill each other?
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