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Quote by William A. Henry III

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In Defense of Elitism

This book presents a defense of the concept of elitism, arguing that expertise, rigorous standards, and intellectual achievement are essential for a functioning society. It critiques the contemporary cultural shift toward populism and the devaluation of specialized knowledge, suggesting that a healthy respect for competence and excellence is necessary for progress and stability. The author contends that true elitism, based on merit and achievement, should not be conflated with snobbery or exclusion, and that society benefits from the guidance of those who have dedicated themselves to mastering complex fields. more

Author

William A. Henry III
William A. Henry III

William A. Henry III was an accomplished literary critic known for his profound insights into American literature and his distinctive interpretations of literary works. His critical writings spanned various genres, from poetry to novels, and had a significant impact on the field of literary criticism. more

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“It is a commonplace observation that liberals believe in the perfectibility of man while conservatives believe in the endurance of original sin. Superficially, that would suggest that conservatives take a more understanding and indulgent view of individual lapses, while liberals take a more harshly judgmental one. In fact, we know, quite the opposite is the case.”

KnowsMenBelieveFactsIndividualUnderstandingSinViewsCasesOppositesOriginalsObservationEnduranceCommonplaceJudgmentalOriginal SinLapses
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“One's worth and self-regard ought to come from individual competitive performance, not from group identity. Pride based on clan or tribal connections is atavistic. It appeals to people who fear they cannot succeed as individuals, and by diverting their energies it all but ensures they will not succeed as individuals.”

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“The branches of mathematics are as various as the sciences to which they belong, and each subject of physical enquiry has its appropriate mathematics. In every form of material manifestation, there is a corresponding form of human thought, so that the human mind is as wide in its range of thought as the physical universe in which it thinks.”

ThinkingMindHumansFormUniverseSubjectsMaterialsMathematicsVariousWideRangeManifestationBranchesAppropriateHuman MindCorrespondingHuman ThoughtEnquiry
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“Mindfulness, though so highly praised and capable of such great achievements, is not at all a "mystical" state, beyond the ken and reach of the average person. It is, on the contrary, something quite simple and common, and very familiar to us.”

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Book:The Heart of Buddhist Meditation: Satipaṭṭhāna : a Handbook of Mental Training Based on the Buddha's Way of Mindfulness, with an Anthology of Relevant Texts Translated from the Pali and Sanskrit
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