Art is the close scrutiny of reality and therefore I put on the stage only those things that I know happen in our society.
Edward BondRead
It's politely assumed that democracy is a means of containing and restraining violence. But violence comes not from genes but from ideas
Interpretation
What this quote means
Democracy aims to control violence, but the root of violence lies in ideas rather than inherent traits.
This quote suggests that while democracy is often viewed as a system designed to prevent and manage violence within society, the real source of violence is not biological or genetic but rather stems from the ideas and beliefs held by individuals. It underlines the importance of addressing the ideologies and concepts that fuel violent behavior rather than solely relying on democratic structures to maintain peace.
Themes
DemocracyViolenceIdeasPhilosophyPeace
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech on social justice, one might reference this quote to illustrate the importance of addressing systemic issues.
More from Edward Bond
All quotes βI write plays not to make money, but to stop myself from going mad. Because it's my way of making the world rational to me.
Edward BondRead
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If it is true that there is always more than one way of construing a text, it is not true that all interpretations are equal.
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