But all civilisations pass away and, even while they…
““But all civilisations pass away and, even while they remain, inflict peculiar sufferings of their own probably sufficient to outweigh what alleviations they may have brought to the normal pains of man.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Civilizations inevitably cause unique suffering that may outweigh their benefits.
In simple terms: Civilizations bring suffering that can exceed their good.
Key Takeaway
Recognize hidden costs of progress.
Themes
history
civilization
human suffering
progress
tradeoffs
Mood
reflective
critical
somber
Type
analytical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- policy analysis
- urban planning
- technological development
- cultural preservation
- public health
Key Concepts
philosophy
sociology
ethics
Questions to Reflect On
- What hidden harms does modern society ignore?
- How can we balance progress with well‑being?
A Different Perspective
Suffering may be mitigated but not eliminated entirely.