When we say our rulers, we mean those who are engaged in the manipulation of symbols. We must consider ourselves a symbolic, semantic class of life, and cannot cease from being so those who control the symbols rule us.Bankers, priests, lawyers, politicians, and news media constitute one class of our rulers and work together. They do not produce any values but manipulate the values produced by others, and often pass signs for no value at all. Scientists and teachers also comprise a ruling class. They produce the main values mankind has, but, at present, they do not realize this. They are, in the main, ruled by the cunning methods of the first class.
More Quotes from Alfred Korzybski:
There are two ways to slice easily thorugh life; to believe everything or to doubt everything. Both ways save us from thinking.Alfred Korzybski
We see what we see because we miss all the finer details.
Alfred Korzybski
It is now no mystery that some quite influential philosophers were mentally ill.
Alfred Korzybski
If the structure is not similar, then the traveller or speaker is led astray, which, in serious human life-problems, must become always eminently harmful.
Alfred Korzybski
The affairs of man are conducted by our own, man-made rules and according to man-made theories. Man's achievements rest upon the use of symbols.... we must consider ourselves as a symbolic, semantic class of life, and those who rule the symbols, rule us.
Alfred Korzybski
The map is not the territory.
Alfred Korzybski
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