An invention or new combination can be successful only if all if the elements necessary for the recombination are present in the culture.

Food to a large extent is what holds a society together, and eating is closely linked to deep spiritual experiences.

A complex society is not necessarily more advanced than a simple one; it has just adapted to conditions in a more complicated way.

Gestures and facial expressions do indeed communicate, as anyone can prove by turning off the sound on a television set and asking watchers to characterize the speakers from the picture alone.

The environment does not determine man's culture; it merely sets the outer limits and at the same time offers opportunities.

Despite the theories traditionally taught in high-school social studies, the truth is: the more primitive the society, the more leisured its way of life.

An inability to communicate has little to do with international friction-as is seen in the special ferocity of wars fought between people who speak the same language.

No child is capable of speech until he has heard other human beings speak, and even two infants reared together cannot develop a language from scratch.

People who speak the same language can hate one another as easily as can people who speak unrelated languages.

In place of science, the Eskimo has only magic to bridge the gap between what he can understand and what is not known. Without magic, his life would be one long panic.

Language does not stand still. Surprisingly, despite this knowledge, most speakers are fearful of change.

Beatrix, do you know what happens to girls who ask such naughty questions?”“They’re ravished in haylofts?” she inquired hopefully.

...Data itself... was tolerable. It was the constant nerve-web-expanding pain of context that would kill him.

With great power, comes a great need to nap.

The joy of life is being able to do the things we wish to do!

People looked to Kurt Cobain because his songs captured what they felt before they knew they felt it.

Let's name the sentimental hog Arnold

Boldness, sensuality and an unapologetic way of showing things, that is part of my films.

Truth, like time, is an idea arising from, and dependent upon, human intercourse.

Feelings of love and gratitude arise directly and spontaneously in the baby in response to the love and care of his mother.

I had a very low voice for the character in the show. I said, "That's not actually my voice. That's the character's voice." I'm being such an actor.