We — mankind — stand at the center of an evolutionary crisis, with a new evolutionary device — our consciousness of the crisis — as our unique contribution.

The prophet who fails to present a bearable alternative and yet preaches doom is part of the trap that he postulates.

We grow up never questioning that which is unquestioned around us.

Any town that doesn't have sidewalks doesn't love its children.

I did not write it [Coming of Age in Samoa] as a popular book, but only with the hope that it would be intelligible to those who might make the best use of its theme, that adolescence need not be the time of stress and strain which Western society made it; that growing up could be freer and easier and less complicated; and also that there were prices to pay for the very lack of complication I found in Samoa - less intensity, less individuality, less involvement with life.

EARTH DAY reminds the people of the world of the need for continuing care which is vital to Earth's safety.

‎ When a person is born we rejoice, and when they're married we jubilate, but when they die we try to pretend nothing has happened.