Since every man desires happiness, it is evidently no small matter whether he conceives of happiness in terms of work or of enjoyment. – Irving Babbitt
The true humanist maintains a just balance between sympathy and selection. – Irving Babbitt
A person who has sympathy for mankind in the lump, faith in its future progress, and desire to serve the great cause of this progress, should be called not a humanist, but a humanitarian, and his creed may be designated as humanitarianism. – Irving Babbitt
For behind all imperialism is ultimately the imperialistic individual, just as behind all peace is ultimately the peaceful individual. – Irving Babbitt
On one level, nothings really changed in my life. I still drive my daughter in the car pool on Monday. But its impossible not to be aware of this rush of attention its impossible not to be seduced by it once youve entered into it, seduced by being unhappy when the attention wanes. – Michael Tolkin