"We are convinced that racial regeneration like individual regeneration, must come "from within." That is, it must be autonomous, self-directive, and not imposed from without. In other words, every potential parent, and especially every potential mother, must be brought to an acute realization of the primary and central importance of bringing children into this world. ... Not until the parents of the world are thus given control over their reproductive faculties will it ever be possible ... to improve the quality of the generations of the future, even to maintain civilization even at its present level. ... An idealistic code of sexual ethics, imposed from above, a set of rules devised by high-minded theorists who fail to take into account the living conditions and desires of the submerged masses, can never be of the slightest value in effecting any changes in the mores of the people."
React to this quote
More by Margaret Sanger
See allResonant Thoughts
"Life has improved, and now as never before the doors to a happy and cultured life for all the peoples of our Union stand wide open. We are already enjoying the first fruits of our victory and we see t…"
Explore Further
Related Quotes
"A country that can afford a $738 billion defense budget but will not ensure its school children a more heal…"
— Marianne Williamson"The recognition, the diagnosis, and the preservation of psychopathic individuals account for the apparent i…"
— Boris Sidis"The most legitimate instances of communication between the living and the dead occur in an intimate persona…"
— Jane Roberts"Igor Ansoff, "The father of Strategic management"
— Igor Ansoff"Man—vir, woman—femina, go to make up the man—homo. There can be no comparison, no rivalry between them; the…"
— Margaret Barber"Christian chronology gives the age of the first man, and then gives the line from father to son down to the…"
— Robert G. Ingersoll
Related Thinkers
Related Topics
Deep Dives
- Nisargadatta Maharaj on family
- Randy Pausch on family
- Laurence Tribe on family
- Margaret Sanger on family
- Karl E. Weick on family
- Daniel Bell on family
- Nisargadatta Maharaj on life
- Nisargadatta Maharaj on truth
- Nisargadatta Maharaj on knowledge
- Nisargadatta Maharaj on freedom
- knowledge & Beauty
- knowledge & Change

