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Quote by Lincoln Steffens

“The spirit of graft and of lawlessness is the American spirit.”

Quote by Lincoln Steffens

Book:The Shame of the Cities

Work

The Shame of the Cities

This novel delves into the complexities of urban life, highlighting the challenges and struggles faced by its inhabitants amidst the backdrop of urban decay. The narrative explores themes of poverty, corruption, and social inequality, offering a critical perspective on the state of modern urban environments. more

Author

Lincoln Steffens

Lincoln Steffens was an American journalist and writer known for his critical reporting on American politics and social issues. His work had a profound impact on American social reform in the early 20th century. more

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“You ask men in office to be honest; I ask them to serve the public.”

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Author:Lincoln Steffens

“If we would leave parties to the politicians, and would vote not for the party, not even for men, but for the city, and the State, and the nation, we should rule parties, and cities, and States, and nation.”

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Book:The Shame of the Cities

Source: The Shame of the Cities

“If we would vote in mass on the more promising ticket, or, if the two are equally bad, would throw out the party that is in, and wait till the next election and then throw out the other party that is in - then, I say, the commercial politician would feel a demand for good government and he would supply it.”

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Book:The Shame of the Cities

Source: The Shame of the Cities

“My father would invite me sweetly to come and sit on a stool at his feet, and, as I let myself trustingly down, he would gently kick the seat from under me - and laugh.”

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Book:The World of Lincoln Steffens

Source: The World of Lincoln Steffens

“One improvement I have learned from my childhood experience with my father: I do not threaten punishment in the morning. That was awful. Late into the night I would lie awake tossing and wondering what he was going to do to me. Usually he did nothing. A quiet, impressive 'talking to' was all I got.”

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Book:The World of Lincoln Steffens

Source: The World of Lincoln Steffens

“The commercial spirit is the spirit of profit, not patriotism; of credit, not honor; of individual gain, not national prosperity; of trade and dickering, not principle.”

Spirit Individual Principles Honor Gains Trade Profit Prosperity Credit

Author:Lincoln Steffens

“Even the West has known the architecture of empty space, whose object, for thousands of years, has been less to construct divine houses, than to create sacred places, to seize upon mystery and to immerse man in it-whether by raising the cyclopean pedestal that surrounds him with stars, or by hollowing out the sanctuary that wraps him in haunted night.”

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“Before I came here I was confused about this subject. Having listened to your lecture I am still confused. But on a higher level.”

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“The only domain where the divine is visible is that of art, whatever name we choose to call it.”

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“Seldom is a Gothic head more beautiful than when broken.”

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Author:Andre Malraux