A man needs to look, not down, but up to standards set so much above his ordinary self as to make him feel that he is himself spiritually the underdog.

Quote by Irving Babbitt

Topics: Irving Babbitt Quotes

For behind all imperialism is ultimately the imperialistic individual, just as behind all peace is...

For behind all imperialism is ultimately the imperialistic individual, just as behind all peace is...

Inasmuch as society cannot go on without discipline of some kind, men were constrained, in...

Inasmuch as society cannot go on without discipline of some kind, men were constrained, in...

The humanities need to be defended to-day against the encroachments of physical science, as they...

The humanities need to be defended to-day against the encroachments of physical science, as they...

We must not, however, be like the leaders of the great romantic revolt who, in...

We must not, however, be like the leaders of the great romantic revolt who, in...

If quantitatively the American achievement is impressive, qualitatively it is somewhat less satisfying.

If quantitatively the American achievement is impressive, qualitatively it is somewhat less satisfying.

A remarkable feature of the humanitarian movement, on both its sentimental and utilitarian sides, has...

A remarkable feature of the humanitarian movement, on both its sentimental and utilitarian sides, has...

The human mind, if it is to keep its sanity, must maintain the nicest balance...

The human mind, if it is to keep its sanity, must maintain the nicest balance...

Tell him, on the contrary, that he needs, in the interest of his own happiness,...

Tell him, on the contrary, that he needs, in the interest of his own happiness,...

To harmonize the One with the Many, this is indeed a difficult adjustment, perhaps the...

To harmonize the One with the Many, this is indeed a difficult adjustment, perhaps the...

Act strenuously, would appear to be our faith, and right thinking will take care of...

Act strenuously, would appear to be our faith, and right thinking will take care of...

Democracy is now going forth on a crusade against imperialism.

Democracy is now going forth on a crusade against imperialism.

Yet Aristotle's excellence of substance, so far from being associated with the grand style, is...

Yet Aristotle's excellence of substance, so far from being associated with the grand style, is...

Robespierre, however, was not the type of leader finally destined to emerge from the Revolution.

Robespierre, however, was not the type of leader finally destined to emerge from the Revolution.

The papacy again, representing the traditional unity of European civilization, has also shown itself unable...

The papacy again, representing the traditional unity of European civilization, has also shown itself unable...

Very few of the early Italian humanists were really humane.

Very few of the early Italian humanists were really humane.

If we are to have such a discipline we must have standards, and to get...

If we are to have such a discipline we must have standards, and to get...

The humanitarian would, of course, have us meddle in foreign affairs as part of his...

The humanitarian would, of course, have us meddle in foreign affairs as part of his...

Furthermore, America suffers not only from a lack of standards, but also not infrequently from...

Furthermore, America suffers not only from a lack of standards, but also not infrequently from...

The democratic idealist is prone to make light of the whole question of standards and...

The democratic idealist is prone to make light of the whole question of standards and...

The humanitarian lays stress almost solely upon breadth of knowledge and sympathy.

The humanitarian lays stress almost solely upon breadth of knowledge and sympathy.