"Subordination tends greatly to human happiness. Were we all upon an equality, we should have no other enjoyment than mere animal pleasure"
- Samuel Johnson
About this Quote
This quote by Samuel Johnson recommends that subordination, or the idea of having a hierarchical structure in society, is advantageous to human joy. Johnson indicates that if everyone were on an equivalent footing, then the only pleasure we would experience would be that of basic animalistic desires. He is suggesting that the structure of society, with its different levels of power and authority, enables us to experience a greater variety of feelings and enjoyments. Johnson is indicating that the structure of society enables us to experience a greater variety of emotions and pleasures, such as the happiness of attaining something, the fulfillment of helping others, and the pride of belonging to a bigger community. He is suggesting that the structure of society permits us to experience a higher series of feelings and enjoyments, which ultimately leads to higher human joy.
This quote is written / told by Samuel Johnson between September 18, 1709 and December 13, 1784. He was a famous Author from England.
The author also have 150 other quotes.
"The man who makes everything that leads to happiness depends upon himself, and not upon other men, has adopted the very best plan for living happily. This is the man of moderation, the man of manly character and of wisdom"
