Lord of The Flies Quotes to Help You Understand Why Humans Need Structure

Whether you’ve read the book or not, these Lord of the Flies quotes will remind you of why we need structure and rules, even if we may not always want to follow them.

The 1954 novel by William Golding is still being read in classrooms today.

Why?

It’s an epic tale that talks about what humans do when they do not have structure or a governing body to facilitate them.

Have you ever wondered what life would be like without the rule of law?

As young boys end up stranded on an island, they are excited for the freedom to live without others telling them what to do.

But, without adults present, children — and people in general — learn that they can and will quickly become savages.

These Lord of the Flies quotes will leave you on the edge of your seat, and if anything, make you feel grateful that government and adults exist, even if they may not always do the best job of it.

If you enjoy this article, check out our most popular quote article, a list of short inspirational quotes for daily motivation. 

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Lord of the Flies Quotes on Government

1. “Which is better — to be a pack of painted Indians like you are, or to be sensible like Ralph is? Which is better — to have rules and agree, or to hunt and kill? Which is better, law and rescue, or hunting and breaking things up?” ― William Golding

2. “The world, that understandable and lawful world, was slipping away. Once there was this and that; and now-and the ship had gone.” ― William Golding

3. “Grownups know things,” said Piggy. “They ain’t afraid of the dark. They’d meet and have tea and discuss. Then things ’ud be all right.” ― William Golding

4. “[The boys] found themselves eager to take a place in this demented but partly secure society. They were glad to touch the brown backs of the fence that hemmed in the terror [of the makeshift beast] and made it governable.” ― William Golding

5. “All this I meant to say. Now I’ve said it. You voted me for chief. Now you do what I say.” ― William Golding

6. “Whoever has the conch gets to speak at assembley.” ― William Golding

You will also enjoy our article on time flies quotes.

Lord of the Flies Quotes on Fear

7. “The thing is – fear can’t hurt you any more than a dream.” ― William Golding

8. “So the last part, the bit we can all talk about, is kind of deciding on the fear. We’ve got to talk about this fear and decide there’s nothing in it.” ― William Golding

9. “As long as there’s light we’re brave enough” ― William Golding

10. “Of course we’re frightened sometimes but we put up with being frightened.” ― William Golding

11. “He forgot his wounds, his hunger and thirst, and became fear; hopeless fear” ― William Golding

12. “I’m scared of him,” said Piggy, “and that’s why I know him. If you’re scared of someone you hate him but you can’t stop thinking about him. You kid yourself he’s all right really, an’ then when you see him again; it’s like asthma an’ you can’t breathe…” ― William Golding

13. “I know there isn’t no beast—not with claws and all that, I mean—but I know there isn’t no fear, either.” Piggy paused. “Unless—” Ralph moved restlessly. “Unless what?” “Unless we get frightened of people.” ― William Golding

14. “There is nothing in it of course. Just a feeling. But you can feel as if you’re not hunting, but – being hunted, as if something’s behind you all the time in the jungle.” ― William Golding

15. “We may stay here till we die.” With that word the heat began to increase till it became a threatening weight and the lagoon attacked them with a blinding effulgence.” ― William Golding

Also read this collection of the best Minions quotes to brighten up your day.

Lord of the Flies Quotes on Human Nature

16. “Maybe there is a beast… maybe it’s only us.” ― William Golding

17. “What are we? Humans? Or animals? Or savages?” ― William Golding

18. “Which is better–to have laws and agree, or to hunt and kill?” ― William Golding

19. “I believe man suffers from an appalling ignorance of his own nature. I produce my own view in the belief that it may be something like the truth.” ― William Golding

20. “He wanted to explain how people were never quite what you thought they were.” ― William Golding

21. “Fancy thinking the Beast was something you could hunt and kill!” ― William Golding

22. “We’ve got to have rules and obey them. After all, we’re not savages.” ― William Golding

23. “Are we savages or what?” ― William Golding

24. “People don’t help much.’ He wanted to explain how people were never quite what you thought they were.” ― William Golding

25. “They looked at each other, baffled, in love and hate.” ― William Golding

Also read these powerful Brave New World quotes from the controversial dystopian novel.

What did you learn from these Lord of the Flies quotes?

Have you ever wondered what life would be like without government?

If people were not held accountable for their actions and humans could essentially do what they want when they wanted?

If you’re curious about what would happen, then read Lord of the Flies.

In this story, the characters come up with rules and ways of organizing themselves the best they can.

But it doesn’t take long for them to learn the hard way that we often take for granted the basic foundations of law and order in society; that humans without civilization will eventually become uncivilized.

What’s your biggest takeaway from these Lord of the Flies quotes and lines?

Do you have any other favorite quotes to add?

Let us know in the comment section below.