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Quote by George William Curtis

Work

On the principles and character of American institutions, and the duties of American citizens, 1856-1891

The text delves into the historical and philosophical underpinnings of American institutions, analyzing their development and significance. It also addresses the moral and civic duties expected of American citizens during the late 19th century. more

Author

George William Curtis
George William Curtis

George William Curtis was an American writer born on February 24, 1824, and died on August 31, 1892. He was known for his essays and editorial work, serving as the editor of Harper's Magazine, which had a significant impact on the literary world. more

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“Music for a long time has been telling what the world is like. What music has to say now, in a manner that has both logic and emotion in it, is that the world has a structure persons could like; be stronger by.... [If] the world is the oneness of opposites - and music says it is - the world is given an everlastingly sensible basis; for what could be more sensible that to be calm and forceful at once, reposeful and intense at once?”

“...we may be able to prove conclusively that all men are born with potentially brilliant intellects...and that the source of cultural creativity is the consciousness that springs from social cooperation and loving interaction...the majority of us live far below our potential, because of the oppressive nature of most societies.”

“We must ask why apparently general musical abilities should be restricted to a chosen few in societies supposed to be culturally more advanced. Does cultural development represent a real advance in human sensitivity, or is it chiefly a diversion for elites and a weapon of class exploitation?”

“Thus, if a composer wants to produce music that is relevant to his contemporaries, his chief problem is not really musical, though it may seem to him to be so; it is a problem of attitude to contemporary society and culture in relation to the basic human problem of learning to be human.”