I was glad to hear of that determination as I detest the practice of cousins marrying or any marriage between persons in which there can be traced the most distant relationship. I go for the improvement instead of the deterioration of our race.

Ezra Cornell’s quote reflects his belief in the importance of improvement over the deterioration of the human race, specifically through his opposition to cousins marrying or any form of marriage where there is even a distant blood relation. By expressing his detestation of such practices, Cornell reveals his concern about the genetic or social consequences of marriages that might, in his view, result in weakened or diminished offspring. His position suggests a preference for marriages between individuals without any familial ties, in order to ensure the health and prosperity of future generations.

Cornell’s statement reflects a viewpoint common in the 19th century, where concerns about genetics and the potential dangers of inbreeding were prevalent, though his beliefs also touch on ideas related to eugenics—the belief in improving the genetic quality of the human population. His reference to the “improvement of our race” suggests that he was focused on the idea of biological progress, which was a theme in various social and scientific discussions of the time, often linked to racial and genetic theories that are now widely discredited.

The use of the term "deterioration" implies that Cornell saw marriages between closely related individuals as a threat to the well-being and advancement of society. His advocacy for the improvement of the human race through better marital choices shows his desire for a future where familial relationships and genetics are carefully considered to ensure the best possible outcomes. This view, while rooted in his time, reflects concerns that would later be challenged by more progressive and inclusive approaches to human rights, marriage, and family structures.

Originating from Cornell’s career as a businessman, philanthropist, and founder of Cornell University, this quote reflects his personal views on marriage and society. Though Cornell’s contributions to education and the founding of Cornell University were groundbreaking, his personal views, especially those on marriage and eugenics, reveal the complex and sometimes controversial beliefs that shaped the intellectual environment of the 19th century. His focus on racial improvement through marriage reflects a broader set of ideas from his time that have since been critically reevaluated and are seen today as problematic.