society is the lungs which are distributing the element to keep the life essence—that is, the individual—pure and strong.
 Emma Goldman, Anarchism and Other Essays (1910). copy citation

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Author Emma Goldman
Source Anarchism and Other Essays
Topic society life
Date 1910
Language English
Reference
Note
Weblink http://www.gutenberg.org/files/2162/2162-h/2162-h.htm

Context

“the one the receptacle of a precious life essence, the other the repository of the element that keeps the essence pure and strong. The individual is the heart of society, conserving the essence of social life; society is the lungs which are distributing the element to keep the life essence—that is, the individual—pure and strong. "The one thing of value in the world," says Emerson, "is the active soul; this every man contains within him. The soul active sees absolute truth and utters truth and creates." In other words, the individual instinct is the thing of value in the world.” source