"To a high degree we are, through..." - Quote by Immanuel Kant
To a high degree we are, through art and science, cultured. We are civilized - perhaps too much for our own good - in all sorts of social grace and decorum. But to consider ourselves ashaving reached morality - for that, much is lacking.
More by Immanuel Kant
More on Morality
“Because this age and the next ageEngender in the ditch,No man can know a happy manFrom any passing wretch,If Folly link with EleganceNo man knows which is which.”
“But who in war will not have his laugh amid the skulls?”
“The really royal calling of the philosopher (as expressed by Alcuin the Anglo-Saxon): To correct what is wrong, and strengthen the right, and raise what is holy.”
More on Civilization
“It is a thorough process, this war with the wilderness - breaking nature, taming the soil. feeding it on oats. The civilized man regards the pine tree as his enemy. He will fell it and let in the light, grub it up and raise wheat or rye there. It is no better than a fungus to him.”
“The fact is, that civilization requires slaves. Unless there are slaves to do the ugly, horrible, uninteresting work, culture and contemplation become almost impossible.”
“Fit for the mountains and the barbarous caves, where manners ne'er were preached.”