We can destroy ourselves by cynicism and disillusion, just as effectively as by bombs.

—Kenneth Clark

war cynicism destruction

About Kenneth Clark

Portrait of Kenneth Clark

Kenneth Mackenzie Clark, Baron Clark (13 July 1903 – 21 May 1983) was a British art historian, museum director and broadcaster. His expertise covered a wide range of artists and periods, but he is particularly associated with Italian Renaissance art, most of all that of Leonardo da Vinci. After running...

More quotations tagged with “destruction”

To be able to destroy with good conscience, to be able to behave badly and call your bad behavior "righteous indignation"—this is the height of psychological luxury, the most delicious of moral treats.

—Aldous Huxley

destruction morality psychology indignation

A civilization which tends to concentrate wealth and power in the hands of a fortunate few, and to make of others mere human machines, must inevitably evolve anarchy and bring destruction.

—Henry George

power destruction luck wealth civilization machines anarchy

How would you describe the difference between modern war and modern industry—between, say, bombing and strip mining, or between chemical warfare and chemical manufacturing? The difference seems to be only that in war the victimization of humans is directly intentional and in industry it is accepted as a "trade-off.

—Wendell Berry

war destruction environmentalism capitalism industry

We all are learning, modifying, or destroying ideas all the time. Rapid destruction of your ideas when the time is right is one of the most valuable qualities you can acquire. You must force yourself to consider arguments on the other side.

—Charlie Munger

learning time ideas destruction

What have we achieved in mowing down mountain ranges, harnessing the energy of mighty rivers, or moving whole populations about like chess pieces, if we ourselves remain the same restless, miserable, frustrated creatures we were before? To call such activity progress is utter delusion.

—Henry Miller

delusion progress destruction environmentalism environment restlessness

History

17 Jan 2015 Added