When every province of the world so teems with inhabitants…
“When every province of the world so teems with inhabitants that they can neither subsist where they are nor remove themselves elsewhere... the world will purge itself in one or another of these three ways (floods, plague and famine)”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
When populations cannot sustain themselves locally or relocate elsewhere, humanity will self‑destruct through natural catastrophes like floods, plague, or famine.
In simple terms: Overpopulation leads to disaster.
Key Takeaway
Plan for sustainable resource use and mobility.
Themes
population
resource scarcity
catastrophe
Mood
concerned
serious
Type
political
warning
When to use this quote
- urban planning
- migration policy
- climate adaptation
- public health strategies
Key Concepts
political theory
environmental limits
human behavior
Questions to Reflect On
- What measures can prevent such self‑purging?
- How do modern societies address resource limits?