10 Inspiring Culture Quotes to Expand Your Mindset

Culture is the social behavior and norms found in human societies. Our culture influences our thoughts, beliefs, values, and behaviors. It shapes our perception of the world and impacts the way we interact with others. Understanding each other’s cultures helps us develop respect and tolerance for diverse cultures.

In this article, we have compiled ten inspiring culture quotes that will expand your mindset and help you embrace diversity.

1. “Culture makes people understand each other better. And if they understand each other better in their soul, it is easier to overcome the economic and political barriers. But first, they have to understand that their neighbor is, in the end, just like them, with the same problems, the same questions.” – Paulo Coelho

Paulo Coelho, a Brazilian lyricist, and novelist wrote over 30 titles that have been translated into more than 80 languages. In this quote, he highlights the significance of cultural understanding to overcome economic and political barriers.

2. “Culture is not a monolithic construct, but rather a cornucopia of localized traditions, each with its own character, influenced by the particular history, migration patterns, and environment of the region, as well as by interactions with neighboring cultures.” – Wade Davis

Wade Davis, an anthropologist, and ethnobotanist emphasize that culture is not a singular entity but a diverse mix of traditions that are shaped by various factors.

3. “Culture is the product of human creativity, the stories we tell, the songs we sing, the artifacts we produce – all of which both reflect and shape the societies that create them.” – Nicholas Kristof

Nicholas Kristof, a columnist for The New York Times, highlights that culture is a creative product of humans and reflects society’s values, beliefs, and norms.

4. “Culture is not a biological phenomenon but a social one. It is the human interface between the natural world and the human-made world – the world of rocks and rivers, tigers and elephants, gods and goddesses on the one hand, and the built environment of cities, markets, trades, and economies on the other.” – Arjun Appadurai

Arjun Appadurai, a social-cultural anthropologist, emphasizes that culture is not an innate biological trait but a product of socialization. It bridges the gap between the natural world and the human-made world.

5. “Culture is a way of coping with the world by defining it in detail. It is a way of categorizing phenomena, whether they are physical attributes of the natural environment, or the identity and actions of other people.” – Geert Hofstede

Geert Hofstede, a Dutch social psychologist, highlights that culture acts as a coping mechanism by categorizing phenomena in detail and thus giving us a sense of orientation and understanding.

6. “Culture is everything we don’t have to do.” – Brian Eno

Brian Eno, a British musician and record producer, argues that culture is a manifestation of human creativity, and it includes everything that we don’t have to do.

7. “Culture is a way of living in a shared world of symbols, signs, and meanings, which we ourselves help build and rebuild over time.” – Thomas Hylland Eriksen

Thomas Hylland Eriksen, a Norwegian anthropologist, defines culture as a way of living and implies that culture is not static but an ever-evolving process influenced by time.

8. “Culture is the widening of the mind and of the spirit.” – Jawaharlal Nehru

Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of India, highlights that culture is a means of expanding the mind and the spirit by exploring different cultures and experiences.

9. “Culture is the arts elevated to a set of beliefs.” – Thomas Wolfe

Thomas Wolfe, an American novelist, implies that culture is not limited to art but includes how it impacts our beliefs, practices, and norms.

10. “Culture is the sum total of our beliefs, values, behaviors, and artifacts. It is the shared perspective that binds together individuals and groups within a society and gives meaning to their existence.” – Clyde Kluckhohn

Clyde Kluckhohn, an American anthropologist, notes that culture is the sum total of various elements such as beliefs, values, behaviors, and artifacts, which unite people in a society and give meaning to their lives.

In conclusion, these ten inspiring culture quotes highlight the significance of cultural understanding, diversity, and how it shapes human societies. By embracing diverse cultures, we can broaden our minds and enhance our global perspective, building a better world in the process.