Quote by William James

We, the lineal representatives of the successful enactors of one scene of slaughter after another, must, whatever more pacific virtues we may also possess, still carry about with us, ready at any moment to burst into flame, the smoldering and sinister traits of character by means of which they lived through so many massacres, harming others, but themselves unharmed.

We, the lineal representatives of the successful enactors of

Summary

This quote suggests that as humans, we are the inheritors of a violent history and carry within us the potential for aggression and harm. Despite possessing other peaceful qualities, we still possess the remnants of the traits that allowed our ancestors to survive multiple atrocities without being harmed themselves. It implies that our capacity for violence and harm lies dormant within us and can be triggered at any moment, revealing our dark and dubious nature inherited from our predecessors.

Topics

Anger

By William James

Liked the quote? Share it with your friends.

Random Quotations

I will not surrender responsibility for my life and my actio

I will not surrender responsibility for my life and my actions.

John Enoch Powell

Responsibility

They are but beggars that can count their worth.

They are but beggars that can count their worth.

William Shakespeare

Wealth Worth Beggars

I think Chris Weitz is an amazing director, and his sensibil

I think Chris Weitz is an amazing director, and his sensibility - I wouldn't even know how to articulate it - it's just, he's a very sensitive, interesting guy.

Elizabeth Reaser

Amazing

One of the best temporary cures for pride and affectation is

One of the best temporary cures for pride and affectation is seasickness a man who wants to vomit never puts on airs.

In order to arrive at knowledge of the motions of birds in t

In order to arrive at knowledge of the motions of birds in the air, it is first necessary to acquire knowledge of the winds, which we will prove by the motions of water in itself, and this knowledge will be a step enabling us to arrive at the knowledge of beings that fly between the air and the wind.

Leonardo da Vinci

One more dance along the razor's edge finished. Almost dead

One more dance along the razor's edge finished. Almost dead yesterday, maybe dead tomorrow, but alive, gloriously alive, today.

Inspirational Military Lord Of Chaos Military Quote One More Dance Robert Jordan

There is no comfort in the growth zone, but there is no grow

There is no comfort in the growth zone, but there is no growth in the comfort zone.

Future

He who knows the darkness shall learn to live in the light.

He who knows the darkness shall learn to live in the light.

Adversity

The only disadvantage of an honest heart is credulity.

The only disadvantage of an honest heart is credulity.

Sir Philip Sidney

Belief

The primary victims of Katrina, those who were given the lea

The primary victims of Katrina, those who were given the least help by the government, those rescued last or not at all, were overwhelmingly people of color largely hidden from the mainstream of society.

Government

On the day when a young writer corrects his first proof-shee

On the day when a young writer corrects his first proof-sheet he is as proud as a schoolboy who has just got his first dose of pox.

Charles Baudelaire

Authors & Writing

What I've always said is that I'm opposed to institutional r

What I've always said is that I'm opposed to institutional racism, and I would've, had I've been alive at the time, I think, had the courage to march with Martin Luther King to overturn institutional racism, and I see no place in our society for institutional racism.

Courage