Walter Bagehot: “The characteristic necessity of early society as we have seen, is…”

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The characteristic necessity of early society as we have seen, is strict usage and binding coercive custom.

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Walter Bagehot

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This quote highlights the importance of strict customs in early societies.

More from Walter Bagehot

Thirdly, we see why so few nations have made rapid advance, and how many have become stationary.

Perhaps such powers as these are what a wise man would most seek to exercise and least fear to possess.

No doubt this momentary gain is bought at a ruinous after-cost.

They are above corruption because they are the corruptors.

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Walter Bagehot: “The characteristic necessity of early society as we have seen, is strict usage and binding coercive custom.”