“Man's characteristic privilege is that the bond he accepts is not physical but moral; that is, social. He is governed not by a material environment brutally imposed on him, but by a conscience superior to his own, the superiority of which he feels. Because the greater, better part of his existence transcends the body, he escapes the body's yoke, but is subject to that of society.”
Cite this quote
APA
Durkheim, E. (n.d.). Man's characteristic privilege is that the bond he accepts is not physical but moral; that is, social. He is governed not by a material environment brutally imposed on him, but by a conscience superior to his own, the superiority of which he feels. Because the greater, better part of his existence transcends the body, he escapes the body's yoke, but is subject to that of society. [Quotation]. Famous Quotations Network. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/38220-mans-characteristic-privilege-is-that-the-bond-he/
MLA
Durkheim, Emile. “Man's characteristic privilege is that the bond he accepts is not physical but moral; that is, social. He is governed not by a material environment brutally imposed on him, but by a conscience superior to his own, the superiority of which he feels. Because the greater, better part of his existence transcends the body, he escapes the body's yoke, but is subject to that of society.” Famous Quotations Network, https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/38220-mans-characteristic-privilege-is-that-the-bond-he/. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.
Chicago
Durkheim, Emile. “Man's characteristic privilege is that the bond he accepts is not physical but moral; that is, social. He is governed not by a material environment brutally imposed on him, but by a conscience superior to his own, the superiority of which he feels. Because the greater, better part of his existence transcends the body, he escapes the body's yoke, but is subject to that of society.” Famous Quotations Network. Accessed October 24, 2026. https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/38220-mans-characteristic-privilege-is-that-the-bond-he/.