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But instead of that stuff you get relationships with people and neighbors that you would never get in a city. People in small towns are a lot more open.

Societies that empower women are less violent in every way.

Not only does the proportion of the poor increase with the growth of the city, but their condition becomes more wretched.

Almost half of the population of the world lives in rural regions and mostly in a state of poverty. Such inequalities in human development have been one of the primary reasons for unrest and, in some parts of the world, even violence.

More humane societies are usually smaller, like the Scandinavian countries and Holland, where it is much easier to reach consensus and cooperation.

Because there are a lot of big cities in the world, people who live in cities have become more isolated than ever.

No oppression is so heavy or lasting as that which is inflicted by the perversion and exorbitance of legal authority.

Adolescence is a difficult time at the best of times, and especially in a smaller town - there's all these different energies going on.

It is often easier to become outraged by injustice half a world away than by oppression and discrimination half a block from home.

Rural towns aren't always idyllic. It's easy to feel trapped and be aware of social hypocrisy.