Unnecessary customs live a brutally short life in America.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Sheed argues that in America, customs without practical purpose die out quickly.
- In plain terms
- Useless traditions do not last long in America.
- What can you take from it?
- Pragmatism kills outdated customs quickly.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What custom in your life serves no purpose?
- Why do some traditions survive while others die?
Another view
Not all customs need utility to have value.
More from Wilfrid Sheed
As you approach the presidency, no one seems worthy of it, since it wasn't designed for a human in the first place.
Permalink to quote #35 As things now stand, the office is a slightly meaner battleground than the home. Male bosses seem to dominate their women underlings as they would never domina…
Permalink to quote #37 Chicago 1968 taught one how close any civilized country is to berserkness at all times; also how terrorism, even silly terrorism, strengthens the cops more tha…
Permalink to quote #34
Related quotes
Whoever wants to know the heart and mind of America had better learn baseball, the rules and realities of the game - and do it by watching first some high scho…
Jacques BarzunJacques Barzun quote #6 In America nothing dies easier than tradition.
Russell BakerRussell Baker quote #9 I couldn't imagine somebody like Osama bin Laden understanding the joy of Hannukah.
George W. BushGeorge W. Bush quote #76