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.

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.

The individual has become a mere cog in an enormous organization of things and powers...

The individual has become a mere cog in an enormous organization of things and powers...

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...

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...

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.

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...

In the latter case life rests upon a thousand presuppositions which the individual can never...

In the latter case life rests upon a thousand presuppositions which the individual can never...

The metropolis reveals itself as one of those great historical formations in which opposing streams...

The metropolis reveals itself as one of those great historical formations in which opposing streams...

Thus, the technique of metropolitan life is unimaginable without the most punctual integration of all...

Thus, the technique of metropolitan life is unimaginable without the most punctual integration of all...

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.

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,...

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...

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.

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.

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...

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...

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 involves a tension which, at the moment of revelation, finds its release.

Secrecy involves a tension which, at the moment of revelation, finds its release.