Essentials of Sociology 9th ed. by James M. Henslin

"As surprising as it may sound, to have love as the main reason for marrying weakens marriage. In some depth of our being, we expect 'true love' to deliver constant emotional highs. This expectation sets people up for crushed hopes, as dissatisfactions in marriage are inevitable. When they come, spouses then to blame one another for failing to deliver the expected satisfaction." - Ch 1

"Efficiency brings dependability. You can expect your burger and fries to taste the same (referring to McDonalds) whether you buy them in Los Angeles or Beijing. Although efficiency also lowers princes, it does come at a cost. Predictability washes away spontaneity, changing the quality of our lives. It produces a sameness, a bland version of what used to be unique experiences. In my own travels, for example, has I taken packaged tours I never would have had the eye-opening experiences that have added so much to my appreciation of human diversity."  - Ch 5

"How can a legal system that proudly boasts "justice for all" be so inconsistent? . . With their large numbers, the working class and those below them pose a special threat to the power elite. Receiving the least of society's material rewards, they hold the potential to rebel and overthrow the current social order. To prevent this, the law comes down hard on its members who get out of line." - Ch 6  

"Poverty wears the same tired face wherever you are, I realized." - Ch 8
  
"Income inequality decreased from 1935 to 1970. Since 1970, the richest 20 percent of U.S. families have grown richer, while the poorest 20 percent have grown poorer." - Ch 8
   
"The average U.S. worker would have to work 2,800 years to earn the amount received by the highest-paid executive (Sanjay Jha, $104 million a year)." - Ch 8