Who said “How much longer are we going to think it necessary to be ''American'' before (or in…”?

Verified

Edith Wharton. A published source records them saying or writing it.

SourceLetter to Barrett Wendell (19 July 1919)

Evidence: Wikiquote · How we check

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“How much longer are we going to think it necessary to be ''American'' before (or in contradistinction to) being cultivated, being enlightened, being humane, and having the same intellectual discipline as other civilized countries?”
— Edith Wharton
VerifiedLetter to Barrett Wendell (19 July 1919) · evidencePatriotism

Cite this quote

For academic work, cite the original where you can: Letter to Barrett Wendell (19 July 1919).

APA

Wharton, E. (n.d.). How much longer are we going to think it necessary to be ''American'' before (or in contradistinction to) being cultivated, being enlightened, being humane, and having the same intellectual discipline as other civilized countries? [Quotation]. Famous Quotations Network. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/16149-how-much-longer-are-we-going-to-think/

MLA

Wharton, Edith. “How much longer are we going to think it necessary to be ''American'' before (or in contradistinction to) being cultivated, being enlightened, being humane, and having the same intellectual discipline as other civilized countries?” Famous Quotations Network, https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/16149-how-much-longer-are-we-going-to-think/. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

Chicago

Wharton, Edith. “How much longer are we going to think it necessary to be ''American'' before (or in contradistinction to) being cultivated, being enlightened, being humane, and having the same intellectual discipline as other civilized countries?” Famous Quotations Network. Accessed October 24, 2026. https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/16149-how-much-longer-are-we-going-to-think/.

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More quotes by Edith Wharton

“There are two ways of spreading light: to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it.”
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“Mrs. Ballinger is one of the ladies who pursue Culture in bands, as though it were dangerous to meet it alone.”
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“I have never known a novel that was good enough to be good in spite of its being adapted to the author's political views.”
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“When people ask for time, it's always for time to say no. Yes has one more letter in it, but it doesn't take half as long to say.”
VerifiedThe Children (1928), ch. XXV · evidenceDetails & citeDecisions
All 14 Edith Wharton quotes →