Émile Durkheim

The war is a terrible tragedy, and I fear for the future of Europe.

I miss my son terribly. His death has left a void in my heart.

The future of sociology depends on its ability to be both scientific and moral.

I am always striving to make my ideas clearer and more precise.

The intellectual life is a constant struggle, but a rewarding one.

I believe in the power of reason to improve human society.

My work is an attempt to understand the social world, not to judge it.

The university is a place for critical inquiry and the pursuit of truth.

I am deeply concerned about the moral state of our society.

The study of religion is essential for understanding the foundations of society.

I am convinced that a scientific approach to morality is possible.

The individual is a social being by nature.

The task of sociology is to discover the laws of social life.

I find great satisfaction in teaching and sharing my ideas with students.

The collective representations are the symbols through which society understands itself.

My work is a continuous effort to bridge the gap between philosophy and science.

The social environment shapes the individual's consciousness.

I am always seeking to refine my concepts and theories.

When the individual is not sufficiently integrated into society, he commits suicide.

Society is not a mere sum of individuals. The system formed by their association has a reality sui generis.