Women want mediocre men, and men are working hard to be as mediocre as possible.

Of all the peoples whom I have studied, from city dwellers to cliff dwellers, I always find that at least fifty per cent would prefer to have at least one jungle between themselves and their mothers-in-law.

Jealousy is not a barometer by which the depth of love can be read. It merely records the degree of the lover's insecurity.

Men have always been afraid that women could get along without them.

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world; indeed it's the only thing that ever has.

The capacity for friendship usually goes with highly developed civilizations. The ability to cultivate people differs by culture and class; but on the whole, educated people have more ways to make friends... . In England, for instance, you find everyone in your class has read the same books. Here, people grope for something in common-like a newly engaged girl who came to me and said, "It's absolutely wonderful! His uncle and my cousin were on the same football team."

Man's role is uncertain, undefined, and perhaps unnecessary.

Love is the invention of a few high cultures ... it is cultural artifact. To make love the requirement of a lifelong marriage is exceedingly difficult, and only a few people can achieve it. I don't believe in setting universal standards that a large proportion of people can't reach.

In almost any society I think, the quality of the nonconformists is likely to be just as good as and no better than that of the conformists.

An ideal community is one that has a place for every human gift.