A. R. Radcliffe-Brown

The structure of society determines the form of its institutions.

In interviews, I always stressed the importance of fieldwork.

Wisdom lies in recognizing the universality of human social needs.

The Andamans taught me the resilience of human spirit in adversity.

Social change disrupts structure but also creates new forms.

A witty remark: Anthropology is the science of why people do odd things.

Professional observation: Norms regulate behavior more than laws.

In correspondence, I debated the merits of functionalism over diffusionism.

The essence of society is continuity through relations.

Fieldwork is the lifeblood of anthropology.

Ritual expresses the moral values of a community.

Unity in diversity: that's the anthropologist's creed.

Comeback to critics: Structure isn't visible, but its effects are.

The individual finds meaning in fulfilling social roles.

Comparative studies reveal the logic of cultural variation.

In my last lectures, I reflected on anthropology's future role.

Jokes in anthropology: Why did the anthropologist break up? Lack of structure.

Social anthropology bridges the gap between East and West.

The beauty of science is in its systematic pursuit of truth.

Personal note: Life is a web of interconnected relations.