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The most likely way to kill a tradition is to over-formalize it, which is to carry it on in the same way after everyone has ceased to defer to it. The way to revive it is to show that it has grown out of and is still related to our most cherished values. But this requires radical insight and the stripping away of many things which are mere accretions.

— Richard Weaver Life Without Prejudice (1965)

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More quotes by Richard Weaver

He has been told that knowledge is power, and knowledge consists of a great many small things.

Ideas have Consequences (1948)

When we affirm that philosophy begins with wonder, we are affirming in effect that sentiment is prior to reason.

Ideas have Consequences (1948)

Specialization develops only part of a man; a man partially developed is deformed.

Man is constantly being assured that he has more power than ever before in history, but his daily experience is one of powerlessness. …

Ideas have Consequences (1948)

Nothing is more certain than that whatever has to court public favor for its support will sooner or later be prostituted to utilitarian ends.

Ideas have Consequences (1948)

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Attribution

Quote text and notes from Wikiquote: Richard Weaver (page history), available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Source quality and labels are our own summary of what Wikiquote records.