Many valuable emotions, and much important thinking, can only grow up as the result of long periods of quiet. These elements in the emotional and philosophical outlook of the past are now decaying. On the other hand, the cruelty and madness which in former ages were generated by boredom and unendurable monotony are also growing less. Perhaps therefore there is gain on the balance. However that may be, the mental change is certainly profound, and still only half completed.
Source:'On locomotion' in: Mortals and Others; Bertrand Russell's American Essays, 1931-1935, v.1.
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