A society whose members are united by the fact that they think in the same way in regard to the sacred world and its relations with the profane world, and by the fact that they translate these common ideas into common practices, is what is called a Church. In all history, we do not find a single religion without a Church.
Emile DurkheimOne does not advance when one walks toward no goal, or - which is the same thing - when his goal is infinity.
Emile DurkheimThe man whose whole activity is diverted to inner meditation becomes insensible to all his surroundings.
Emile DurkheimWhen morals are sufficient, law is unnecessary; when morals are insufficient, law is unenforceable.
Emile DurkheimOur excessive tolerance with regard to suicide is due to the fact that, since the state of mind from which it springs is a general one, we cannot condemn it without condemning ourselves; we are too saturated with it not partly to excuse it.
Emile DurkheimThe roles of art, morality, religion, political faith, science itself are not to repair organic exhaustion nor to provide sound functioning of the organs. All this supraphysical life is built and expanded not because of the demands of the cosmic environment but because of the demands of the social environment.
Emile Durkheim