Perestroika basically is creating material incentives for the individual. Some of the comrades deny that, but I can’t see it any other way. In that sense human nature kinda goes backwards. It’s a step backwards. You have to realize the people weren’t quite ready for a socialist production system.
—Gus Hall (b. 1910)
The average educated man in America has about as much knowledge of what a political idea is as he has of the principles of counterpoint. Each is a thing used in politics or music which those fellows who practise politics or music manipulate somehow. Show him one and he will deny that it is politics at all. It must be corrupt or he will not recognize it. He has only seen dried figs. He has only thought dried thoughts. A live thought or a real idea is against the rules of his mind.
—John Jay Chapman (1862–1933)
In civilized societies today ... clitoris envy, or womb envy, takes subtle forms. Man’s constant need to disparage woman, to humble her, to deny her equal rights, and to belittle her achievements—all are expressions of his innate envy and fear.
—Elizabeth Gould Davis (b. 1910)