Irving Babbitt Quotes about Democracy

Commercialism is laying its great greasy paw upon everything including the irresponsible quest of thrills; so that, whatever democracy may be theoretically, one is sometimes tempted to define it practically as

Commercialism is laying its great greasy paw upon everything including the irresponsible quest of thrills; so that, whatever democracy may be theoretically, one is sometimes tempted to define it practically as standardized and commercialized melodrama.

Irving Babbitt

Democracy, Quests, May

Irving Babbitt (2005). “On Literature, Cultures, and Religion”, p.138, Transaction Publishers

A democracy, the realistic observer is forced to conclude, is likely to be idealistic in its feelings about itself, but imperialistic about its practice.

Irving Babbitt

Practice, Feelings, Democracy

Irving Babbitt (2005). “On Literature, Cultures, and Religion”, p.154, Transaction Publishers

To say that most of us today are purely expansive is only another way of saying that most of us continue to be more concerned with the quantity than with the quality of our democracy.

Irving Babbitt

Democracy, Quality, Today

Irving Babbitt (2005). “On Literature, Cultures, and Religion”, p.110, Transaction Publishers