The democratic idealist is prone to make light of the whole question of standards and leadership because of his unbounded faith in the plain people.

Quote by Irving Babbitt

Topics: Irving Babbitt Quotes

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.

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...

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...

Anyone who thus looks up has some chance of becoming worthy to be looked up...

Anyone who thus looks up has some chance of becoming worthy to be looked up...

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.

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...

According to the new ethics, virtue is not restrictive but expansive, a sentiment and even...

According to the new ethics, virtue is not restrictive but expansive, a sentiment and even...

We may affirm, then, that the main drift of the later Renaissance was away from...

We may affirm, then, that the main drift of the later Renaissance was away from...

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,...

Very few of the early Italian humanists were really humane.

Very few of the early Italian humanists were really humane.

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...

A democracy, the realistic observer is forced to conclude, is likely to be idealistic in...

A democracy, the realistic observer is forced to conclude, is likely to be idealistic in...

Democracy is now going forth on a crusade against imperialism.

Democracy is now going forth on a crusade against imperialism.

An American of the present day reading his Sunday newspaper in a state of lazy...

An American of the present day reading his Sunday newspaper in a state of lazy...

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

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

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...

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...

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...

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...