On the record
The necessity of thus forming co-operative groups by fixed customs explains the necessity of isolation in early society.
Said by
Walter Bagehot
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gutenberg.orgWalter Bagehot: “The necessity of thus forming co-operative groups by fixed customs explains the necessity of isolation in early society.”
Editor's note · Context
Here, Bagehot explains the necessity of forming cooperative groups in early societies, which often required isolation from others.
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More from Walter Bagehot
It is natural that those who by special and admirable culture have come to look at all things upon the artistic side, should start back from these queer peculiarities.
At last it strikes you that they grew up, house by house, on the devious tracks of the old green lanes; and if you follow on to the existing fields, you may often find the change half complete.
I cannot, therefore, join in the full cry against anomalies; in my judgment it may quickly overrun the scent, and so miss what we should be glad to find.
Just so the lines of our Constitution were framed in old eras of sparse population, few wants, and simple habits; and we adhere in seeming to their shape, though civilisation has come with its dangers, complications, and enjoyments.
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