He who says he hates every kind of flattery, and says it in earnest, certainly does not yet know every kind of flattery.
Georg C. LichtenbergRead
Indifference is harder to fight than hostility, and there is nothing that kills an agitation like having everybody admit that it is fundamentally right.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Indifference can be more damaging than active negativity, as it prevents change and validation.
This quote by Crystal Eastman highlights the complex nature of societal responses to agitation and social issues. It suggests that apathy or indifference can be more detrimental than outright hostility, as indifference allows unjust conditions to persist unchallenged, whereas hostility at least acknowledges the existence of a problem. When people recognize and agree with a cause, it weakens the impetus for change, highlighting the challenge of overcoming passive acceptance of the status quo.
Themes
IndifferenceHostilityAgitationSocial ChangeApathy
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used in a speech addressing social justice issues to emphasize the importance of active engagement.
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