In place of science, the Eskimo has only magic to bridge the gap between what he can understand and what is not known. Without magic, his life would be one long panic.

Food to a large extent is what holds a society together, and eating is closely linked to deep spiritual experiences.

A complex society is not necessarily more advanced than a simple one; it has just adapted to conditions in a more complicated way.

Gestures and facial expressions do indeed communicate, as anyone can prove by turning off the sound on a television set and asking watchers to characterize the speakers from the picture alone.

The environment does not determine man's culture; it merely sets the outer limits and at the same time offers opportunities.

Despite the theories traditionally taught in high-school social studies, the truth is: the more primitive the society, the more leisured its way of life.

An inability to communicate has little to do with international friction-as is seen in the special ferocity of wars fought between people who speak the same language.

An invention or new combination can be successful only if all if the elements necessary for the recombination are present in the culture.

No child is capable of speech until he has heard other human beings speak, and even two infants reared together cannot develop a language from scratch.

People who speak the same language can hate one another as easily as can people who speak unrelated languages.

Language does not stand still. Surprisingly, despite this knowledge, most speakers are fearful of change.

To summarize the summary of the summary: people are a problem.

She had blue skin. And so did he. He kept it hid, And so did she. They searched for blue Their whole life through, Then passed right by - And never knew.

Wives are young men's mistresses, companions for middle age, and old men's nurses.

Wounds turn into scars and scars make you tough.

It was spring break, so the theater was always packed with high schools students. It was an animal house. I wanted to burn the place down.

Youth has triumphed (upon defeating 86-year-old Dirk van Foreest).

I don't advocate violence; but if a man steps on my toes, I'll step on his.

Most criticism of advertising is written in ignorance of what actually happens inside these agencies.

War is the statesman's game, the priest's delight, the lawyer's jest, the hired assassin's trade.