Franz Boas Quotes & Sayings

“If we were to select the most intelligent, imaginative, energetic, and emotionally stable third of mankind, all races would be present.”

“We all know scientists who in private life do not come up to the standard of truthfulness, but who, nevertheless, would not consciously falsify the results of their researches.”

“Remember that in every single case in history the process of adaptation has been one of exceeding slowness. Do not look for the impossible, but do not let your path deviate from the quiet and steadfast insistence on full opportunities for your powers.”

“We do not discuss the anatomical, physiological, and mental characteristics of man considered as an individual; but we are interested in the diversity of these traits in groups of men found in different geographical areas and in different social classes.”

“I object to teaching of slogans intended to befog the mind, of whatever kind they may be.”

“My father had retained an emotional affection for the ceremonial of his parental home, without allowing it to influence his intellectual freedom.”

“I hope I may have succeeded in presenting to you, however imperfectly, the currents of thought due to the work of the immortal Darwin which have helped to make anthropology what it is at the present time.”

“This idea was also brought out very clearly by Wallace, who emphasized that apparently reasonable activities of man might very well have developed without an actual application of reasoning.”

“Furthermore, the study of the present surroundings is insufficient: the history of the people, the influence of the regions through which it has passed on its migrations, and the people with whom it came into contact, must be considered.”

“The historical development of the work of anthropologists seems to single out clearly a domain of knowledge that heretofore has not been treated by any other science.”