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A really intelligent nation might be held together by far stronger forces than are derived from the purely gregarious instincts. A nation need not be a mob of slaves, clinging to one another through fear, and for the most part incapable of self-government, and begging to be led; but it might consist of vigorous self-reliant men, knit to one another by innumerable ties, into a strong, tense, and elastic organisation.

— Francis Galton Inquiries Into Human Faculty and Its Development (1883)

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More quotes by Francis Galton

All male animals, including men, when they are in love, are apt to behave in ways that seem ludicrous to bystanders.

Anthropology teaches us to sympathise with other races, and to regard them as kinsmen rather than aliens.

Opening Remarks by the President (1886)

What nature does blindly, slowly, and ruthlessly, man may do providently, quickly, and kindly. As it lies within his power, so it becomes his duty to work in that direction.

One of the effects of civilisation is to diminish the rigour of the application of the law of natural selection. It preserves weakly lives that would have perished in barbarous lands.

One of the effects of civilization is to diminish the rigour of the application of the law of natural selection. It preserves weakly lives that would have perished in barbarous lands.

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