"The family only represents one aspect, however important an aspect, of a human being's functions and activities...A life is beautiful and ideal, or the reverse, only when we have taken into our consideration the social as well as the family relationship."

Havelock Ellis Literature See all quotes by Havelock Ellis →

React to this quote

More by Havelock Ellis

“Charm"—which means the power to effect work without employing brute force—is indispensable to women. Charm is a woman's strength just as strength is a man's charm.”

“The byproduct is sometimes more valuable than the product.”

“The mathematician has reached the highest rung on the ladder of human thought.”

“The omnipresent process of sex, as it is woven into the whole texture of our man's or woman's body, is the pattern of all the process of our life.”

“The greatest task before civilization at present is to make machines what they ought to be, the slaves, instead of the masters of men.”

“If men and women are to understand each other, to enter into each other's nature with mutual sympathy, and to become capable of genuine comradeship, the foundation must be laid in youth.”

Resonant Thoughts

"On media consideration to be a reluctant rock star: I'm not a reluctant rock star, I am not one at all. I haven't an ounce of rock star in me. What I despise about the rock star lifestyle is the lack …"

— Chris Rea

Music1951–2025

#life

"Managers who don't know how to measure what they want settle for wanting what they can measure. For example, those who want a high quality of work life but don't know how to measure it, often settle f…"

— Russell L. Ackoff

Science1919–2009

#life

"We cannot avoid conflict, conflict with society, other individuals and with oneself. Conflicts may be the sources of defeat, lost life and a limitation of our potentiality but they may also lead to gr…"

— Karl Jaspers

Philosophy1883–1969

#life

"…I’ve lived in so many places, so I almost feel as though I’m not a native of any one place—though, I definitely consider myself a Southerner. I was raised in Louisville, Kentucky and Atlanta, Georgia…"

— ZZ Packer

Literature1973

#life