No country that permits firearms to be widely and randomly distributed among its population - especially firearms that are capable of wounding and killing human beings - can expect to escape violence, and a great deal of violence. Margaret Mead More Quotes by Margaret Mead More Quotes From Margaret Mead in all cultures, human beings - in order to be human - must understand the nonhuman. Margaret Mead humans order culture Wonder is very important, because if we never wondered, we would never get to the point of asking questions. Yet wonder may lead people to write poetry or to paint pictures or to pray, as well as to ask the kinds of questions about the world and themselves that can be answered by science. Margaret Mead asking-questions writing people Human nature is potentially aggressive and destructive and potentially orderly and constructive. Margaret Mead aggression aggressive human-nature The United States has the power to destroy the world, but not the power to save it alone Margaret Mead united-states states world laughter, that distinctively human emotion, laughter which springs from trust in the other, from willingness to put oneself momentarily in the other's place, even at one's own expense, is the special emotional basis of democratic procedures, just as pride is the emotion of an aristocracy, shame of a crowd that rules, and fear of a police state. Margaret Mead laughter pride spring I was brought up to believe that the only thing worth doing was to add to the sum of accurate information in the world. Margaret Mead truth add believe It was not until we saw the picture of the earth, from the moon, that we realized how small and how helpless this planet is - something that we must hold in our arms and care for. Margaret Mead environmental moon earth EARTH DAY reminds the people of the world of the need for continuing care which is vital to Earth's safety. Margaret Mead earth-day safety people Of course we need children! Adults need children in their lives to listen to and care for, to keep their imagination fresh and their hearts young and to make the future a reality for which they are willing to work. Margaret Mead heart children reality The prophet who fails to present a bearable alternative and yet preaches doom is part of the trap that he postulates. Margaret Mead pessimism alternatives failing The time has come, I think, when we must recognize bisexuality as a normal form of human behavior. Margaret Mead normal behavior thinking Creationism: the theory that Rome was built in a day. Margaret Mead creationism rome theory Our human situation no longer permits us to make armed dichotomies between those who are good and those who are evil, those who are right and those who are wrong. The first blow dealt to the enemy's children will sign the death warrant of our own. Margaret Mead evil blow children It is not until science has become a discipline to which the research ability of any mind from any class in society can be attracted that it can become rigorously scientific. Margaret Mead discipline mind class The assumption that men and woman are essentially alike in all respects, or even in the most important ones, is a damaging one, as damaging as the assumption that they are different in ways in which they aren't different, perhaps more so. Margaret Mead different important men Man's most human characteristic is not his ability to learn, which he shares with many other species, but his ability to teach and store what others have developed and taught him. Margaret Mead learning education men I had no reason to doubt that brains were suitable for a woman. Margaret Mead doubt reason brain Contentment can be bought at a price that one can not possibly pay. Margaret Mead can-not contentment pay The most extraordinary thing about a really good teacher is that he or she transcends accepted educational methods. Such methods are designed to help average teachers approximate the performance of good teachers. Margaret Mead teaching education teacher Blackberry winter, the time when the hoarforst lies on the blackberry blossoms; without this frost the berries will not set. It is the forerunner of a rich harvest. Margaret Mead winter spring lying