Rosalie M. Gordon Quote

“You can't make socialists out of individualists.  Children who know how to think for themselves spoil the harmony of the collective society which is coming where everyone is interdependent.”

~ Rosalie M. Gordon

'What Happened to Our Schools?' (1956) writing about John Dewey's attitude towards progressive education.
The quote is popularly attributed to John Dewey himself.

Ratings and Comments


Mike, Norwalk

A very accurate and enlightening observation.

Patrick Henry, Red Hill

Freedom most sublimely resides in personal sovereignty.

The perfection of lovelessness is the denial of the dignity and the singularity of the individuality of the
individual.

The very definition of socialism.

Ronw13, Oregon

Socialism and the servants of men ! " Art thou called being a servant ? care not for it: but if thou mayest be made free, use it rather. For he that is called in the Lord, being a servant, is the Lord's freeman: likewise also he that is called, being free, is Christ's servant. Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men." 7th bk,7th ch, verses 21,22,23. NT. herein is numerical harmony at natural law for the independent. Why ? 7th bk, first chapter 7th verse, So that you come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Fellowship of Liberty and Harmony the Declaration of Independence.

Vedapushpa, Bengaluru India

'Loveliness; as 'the denial of the singularity of the individual' [or in any particular association only}" is a wonderful definition.

E Archer, NYC

Socialists and individualists differ in the fundamental concept of 'responsibility.' Humans can be raised to believe themselves serfs or sovereigns. But people will not support a charade once the lie is exposed. The truth begs to be known -- that's what frees us and empowers us.

Fredrick William Sillik, Anytown

The most independent mind will discover first and foremost their interconnectedness with their fellows, their social being, their Socialism.

Fredrick William Sillik, Anytown
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Fredrick William Sillik, Anytown Fredrick William Sillik, Anytown 4/16/24

Additionally, interdependence is synonymous with independence because you simply cannot afford opposition to any form of life. Your "individual" opposes life itself. The mommy monster, mobster, the gangster, rat packer, brat packer, scat packer. We simply can't get the harmonize productivity from a multi-million dollar tap dancer or GI Joe doll manufacturer. The genuine responsible leader individual is the only rational recognized individual and the change agent who contributes for the good of all.  All of us in an informed. Socialist society would all get our turn. Socialism is the challenge of social abilities to create the life leader.

Fredrick William Sillik, Anytown
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Fredrick William Sillik, Anytown Fredrick William Sillik, Anytown 4/16/24

Correction: All of us in an informed Socialist society would get our turn at leadership.

E Archer, NYC
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E Archer, NYC Fredrick William Sillik, Anytown 4/18/24

Not if I have anything to say about it.  What a crock of nonsense.

Fredrick William Sillik, Anytown
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Fredrick William Sillik, Anytown E Archer, NYC 4/20/24

Mr Archer, you have a responsibility to be both the cooperative listener following and the cooperative vocal leadership. That's simply the way the synchronized life social process operates. Socialism is the challenge of social abilities to create synchronization. 

Mike, Norwalk
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Mike, Norwalk Fredrick William Sillik, Anytown 4/20/24

Archer, I like it a lot ;-) you have to be a duality to operate creatively. hmmm

Fredrick William Sillik, Anytown
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Fredrick William Sillik, Anytown Fredrick William Sillik, Anytown 4/20/24

Mr Archer, "life a dance, sometimes you lead, sometimes you follow" as the poet sings.

E Archer, NYC
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E Archer, NYC Fredrick William Sillik, Anytown 4/22/24

I lead no one other than myself.  I have no desire to lead you or anyone.  I am happy to walk with you if we are going in the same direction, but I will not blindly follow you simply because it is "your turn." 

Collectivists love to follow and to lead.  Individualists love to blaze their own trails, to go where no one has gone before.

Fredrick William Sillik, Anytown
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Fredrick William Sillik, Anytown E Archer, NYC 4/23/24

In humanity we trust, but you have to be human
 I stated that Star Trek verse in an airport one time and the girl I was conversing with stormed off saying she wasn't going to stick around for such trashy talking, she apparently understood you, not me. Create a pathway to Proxima Centauri.  Socialism is the challenge of social abilities to create a path to Proxima Centauri.

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