Mary Catherine Bateson Quotes

A collection of quotes by Mary Catherine Bateson.

Mary Catherine Bateson is an acclaimed cultural anthropologist, writer, and lecturer. Born on December 8, 1939, in New York City, she is the daughter of celebrated anthropologists Margaret Mead and Gregory Bateson. Bateson grew up in an intellectually stimulating environment, surrounded by some of the greatest minds of her time, which fostered her passion for exploring human culture and society.

Educated at Radcliffe College, Bateson earned her BA in English Literature. She later pursued her graduate studies at Harvard University, where she earned her PhD in Linguistics and became highly interested in anthropology. Over the years, she held various academic positions, including tenure as a faculty member at several renowned universities such as Harvard, Amherst College, and George Mason University.

Bateson's scholarly work heavily focused on understanding the intersections of culture, gender, and identity, particularly through her exploration of diverse societies. She authored several influential books, including "Composing a Life," "Peripheral Visions: Learning along the Way," and "Composing a Further Life: The Age of Active Wisdom."

Throughout her career, Bateson's contributions to the field of anthropology have earned her numerous accolades and recognition, making her one of the leading voices in cultural anthropology. She has also been actively involved in various organizations and served as the President of the Institute for Intercultural Studies in New York. Mary Catherine Bateson's work has significantly impacted the understanding of human behavior and culture, inspiring future generations of anthropologists and intellectuals.

Of any stopping place in life, it is good to ask whether it

Of any stopping place in life, it is good to ask whether it will be a good place from which to go on as well as a good place to remain.

Mary Catherine Bateson

Life

Worlds can be found by a child and an adult bending down and

Worlds can be found by a child and an adult bending down and looking together under the grass stems or at the skittering crabs in a tidal pool.

Mary Catherine Bateson

Discovery

The past empowers the present, and the sweeping footsteps le

The past empowers the present, and the sweeping footsteps leading to this present mark the pathways to the future.

Mary Catherine Bateson

Past

Human beings do not eat nutrients, they eat food.

Human beings do not eat nutrients, they eat food.

Mary Catherine Bateson

Food

The timing of death, like the ending of a story, gives a cha

The timing of death, like the ending of a story, gives a changed meaning to what preceded it.

Mary Catherine Bateson

Death

Wherever a story comes from, whether it is a familiar myth o

Wherever a story comes from, whether it is a familiar myth or a private memory, the retelling exemplifies the making of a connection from one pattern to another: a potential translation in which narrative becomes parable and the once upon a time comes to stand for some renascent truth. This approach applies to all the incidents of everyday life: the phrase in the newspaper, the endearing or infuriating game of a toddler, the misunderstanding at the office. Our species thinks in metaphors and learns through stories.

Mary Catherine Bateson

Storytelling

Sharing is sometimes more demanding than giving.

Sharing is sometimes more demanding than giving.

Mary Catherine Bateson

Charity