I believe that if an individual is not on the path to transcending his society and seeing in what way it furthers or impedes the development of human… - Erich Fromm

" "

I believe that if an individual is not on the path to transcending his society and seeing in what way it furthers or impedes the development of human potential, he cannot enter into intimate contact with his humanity. If the tabus, restrictions, distorted values appear "natural" to him, this is a clear indication that he cannot have a real knowledge of human nature. I believe that society, while having a function both stimulating and inhibiting at the same time, has always been in conflict with humanity. Only when the purpose of society is identified with that of humanity will society cease to paralyze man and encourage his dominance.

English
Collect this quote

About Erich Fromm

Erich Seligmann Fromm (23 March 1900 – 18 March 1980) was a German social psychologist, psychoanalyst, sociologist, humanistic philosopher, and democratic socialist. He was associated with the Frankfurt School of critical theory.

Biography information from Wikiquote

Also Known As

Alternative Names: Erich Seligmann Fromm
All quotes from Erich Fromm Similar Quotes by other Originators
Works in ChatGPT, Claude, or Any AI

Add semantic quote search to your AI assistant via MCP. One command setup.

Set Up MCP

Additional quotes by Erich Fromm

Both dreams and myths are important communications from ourselves to ourselves. If we do not understand the language in which they are written, we miss a great deal of what we know and tell ourselves in those hours when we are not busy manipulating the outside world.
Sources available for members. Sign up free to see where this quote comes from
Find Similar
The faculty to think objectively is reason; the emotional attitude behind reason is that of humility. To be objective, to use one's reason, is possible only if one has achieved an attitude of humility, if one has emerged from the dreams of omniscience and omnipotence which one has as a child. Love, being dependent on the relative absence of narcissism, requires the developement of humility, objectivity and reason.

I must try to see the difference between my picture of a person and his behavior, as it is narcissistically distorted, and the person's reality as it exists regardless of my interests, needs and fears.
This quote has a book source. Sign up to see titles and page references
humility compassion objective empathy the-art-of-loving love objectivity reason conflict understanding subjective selfishness reasoning narcissism
Find Similar
Limited Time Offer

Premium members can get their quote collection automatically imported into their Quotewise collections.

Contact Us Get Premium