"If you see in any given situation only what everybody else can see, you can be said to be so much a representative of your culture that you are a victim of it"
- S. I. Hayakawa
About this Quote
This quote by S. I. Hayakawa recommends that when we comply with the standards of our culture, we can become a victim of it. We can end up being so entrenched in our culture that we are unable to believe outside of it. We end up being so concentrated on what everybody else is doing that we are not able to believe for ourselves and create our own ideas. This quote is a tip to believe for ourselves and not be a victim of our culture. We need to make every effort to be independent thinkers and not hesitate to challenge the status quo. We should be open to originalities and viewpoints and not hesitate to question the accepted standards of our culture. By doing this, we can become more aware of our culture and its limitations, and be better equipped to make our own decisions.
This quote is written / told by S. I. Hayakawa between July 18, 1906 and February 27, 1992. He/she was a famous Politician from USA.
The author also have 9 other quotes.
"We have our own history, our own language, our own culture. But our destiny is also tied up with the destinies of other people - history has made us all South Africans"
"Of course as children, we all, in all cultures and societies, learn behavior from observation, imitation, and encouragement of various kinds. So by the suggestion made, we all 'pretend' most of the time"
"Without culture, and the relative freedom it implies, society, even when perfect, is but a jungle. This is why any authentic creation is a gift to the future"