The earliest phase of social formations found in historical as well as in contemporary social structures is this: a relatively small circle firmly closed against neighboring, strange, or in some way antagonistic circles.

Quote by Georg Simmel

Topics: Georg Simmel Quotes

Man's nature, originally good and common to all, should develop unhampered.

Man's nature, originally good and common to all, should develop unhampered.

The deepest problems of modern life derive from the claim of the individual to preserve...

The deepest problems of modern life derive from the claim of the individual to preserve...

Every relationship between persons causes a picture of each to take form in the mind...

Every relationship between persons causes a picture of each to take form in the mind...

A man is well educated when he knows where to find what he doesnt know.

A man is well educated when he knows where to find what he doesnt know.

For, to be a stranger is naturally a very positive relation; it is a specific...

For, to be a stranger is naturally a very positive relation; it is a specific...

Modern culture is constantly growing more objective. Its tissues grow more and more out of...

Modern culture is constantly growing more objective. Its tissues grow more and more out of...

On the one hand, life is made infinitely easy for the personality in that stimulations,...

On the one hand, life is made infinitely easy for the personality in that stimulations,...

The psychological basis of the metropolitan type of individuality consists in the intensification of nervous...

The psychological basis of the metropolitan type of individuality consists in the intensification of nervous...

Secrecy is thus, so to speak, a transition stadium between being and not-being.

Secrecy is thus, so to speak, a transition stadium between being and not-being.

Discretion is nothing other than the sense of justice with respect to the sphere of...

Discretion is nothing other than the sense of justice with respect to the sphere of...

For the division of labor demands from the individual an ever more one-sided accomplishment, and...

For the division of labor demands from the individual an ever more one-sided accomplishment, and...

Every superior personality, and every superior performance, has, for the average of mankind, something mysterious.

Every superior personality, and every superior performance, has, for the average of mankind, something mysterious.

In order to accommodate to change and to the contrast of phenomena, the intellect does...

In order to accommodate to change and to the contrast of phenomena, the intellect does...

For the metropolis presents the peculiar conditions which are revealed to us as the opportunities...

For the metropolis presents the peculiar conditions which are revealed to us as the opportunities...

For this reason, strangers are not really conceived as individuals, but as strangers of a...

For this reason, strangers are not really conceived as individuals, but as strangers of a...

Secrecy sets barriers between men, but at the same time offers the seductive temptation to...

Secrecy sets barriers between men, but at the same time offers the seductive temptation to...

The metropolis has always been the seat of the money economy.

The metropolis has always been the seat of the money economy.

The first internal relation that is essential to a secret society is the reciprocal confidence...

The first internal relation that is essential to a secret society is the reciprocal confidence...

The intellectually sophisticated person is indifferent to all genuine individuality, because relationships and reactions result...

The intellectually sophisticated person is indifferent to all genuine individuality, because relationships and reactions result...

Cities are, first of all, seats of the highest economic division of labor.

Cities are, first of all, seats of the highest economic division of labor.