If two people stare at each other for more than a few seconds, it means they are about to either make love or fight. Something similar might be said about human societies. If two nearby societies are in contact for any length of time, they will either trade or fight. The first is non-zero-sum social integration, and the second ultimately brings it.

Robert Wright

anthropology human-condition sociology

Related Quotes

Mortality defines the human condition.

— Drew Gilpin Faust

ConditionDefinesHuman

As a general rule...people ask for advice only in order not to follow it; or if they do follow it, in order to have someone to blame for giving it.

— Alexandre Dumas

human-naturesociology

It was childish to feel disappointed, but childishness comes almost as naturally to a man as to a child.

— Isaac Asimov

human-condition

All the world's a stage,
And all the men and women merely players;
They have their exits and their entrances;
And one man in his time plays many parts,
His acts being seven ages.

— William Shakespeare

human-condition

What you think of others is what you know about yourself

— Thomas Weidemann

Human Condition