Society is like a lawn where every roughness is smoothed, every bramble eradicated, and where the eye is delighted by the smiling verdure of a velvet surface.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Social groups often hide conflict to present a polished and pleasant image.
- In plain terms
- Society smooths over rough spots to look perfect.
- What can you take from it?
- Be aware that social harmony often masks underlying issues.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What roughness is hidden in your community?
Another view
Some social norms are necessary to maintain order.
More from Washington Irving
Resolved - never to do anything which I should be afraid to do, if it were my last of life.
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Permalink to quote #39 One of the greatest and simplest tools for learning more and growing is doing more.
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