barbarism

 begins when any group sees itself as the bearer of civilization. This very belief will betray it into behaving barbarously at the first opportunity.

Just as a person who is always asserting that he is too good-natured is the very one from whom to expect, on some occasion, the coldest and most unconcerned cruelty, so when any group sees itself as the bearer of civilization this very belief will betray it into behaving barbarously at the first opportunity. Simone Weil

*Admiration is a very short-lived passion, that immediately decays upon growing familiar with its object.

is the absence of standards to which appeal can be made.

is needed every four or five hundred years in order to bring the world back to life. Otherwise it would die of civilization.

Barbarism is needed every four or five hundred years in order to bring the world back to life. Otherwise it would die of civilization.

is believing that the laws of your village are the laws of the universe.

is needed every four or five hundred years to bring the world back to life. Otherwise it would die of civilization.

Barbarism is needed every four or five hundred years to bring the world back to life. Otherwise it would die of civilization.

is no longer at our frontiers; it lives side by side with us.

Barbarism is no longer at our frontiers; it lives side by side with us.

barbarism, n.All

barbarism