...if one civilized man were doomed to pass a dozen years…
““...if one civilized man were doomed to pass a dozen years amid a race of intractable savages, unless he had power to improve them, I greatly question whether, at close of that period, he would not have become, at least, a barbarian himself. And I, as I could not make my young companions better, feared exceedingly that they would make me worse- would gradually bring my feelings, habits, capacities, to the level of their own; without, however, imparting to me their light-heartedness and cheerful vivacity. Already, I seemed to feel my intellect deteriorating, my heart petrifying, my soul contracting; and I trembled lest my very moral perceptions should be come deadened, my distinctions of right and wrong confounded, and all my better faculties be sunk at last, beneath the baneful influence of such a mode of life.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Prolonged exposure to a hostile culture can erode one's morals and intellect, turning a civilized person into a barbarian.
In simple terms: Living among savages may corrupt a civilized person’s mind and morals.
Key Takeaway
Guard your values in adverse environments.
Themes
culture
morality
corruption
Mood
reflective
cautious
Type
philosophical
critical
When to use this quote
- colonial missions
- long-term immersion
- cultural exchange programs
Key Concepts
social influence
psychological decay
Questions to Reflect On
- How can one maintain integrity in a hostile culture?
- What safeguards protect moral development?
A Different Perspective
The view assumes all “savages” lack positive traits, which is a biased stereotype.