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We must succumb to the general influence of the times. No…

“We must succumb to the general influence of the times. No man can be of the tenth century, if he would; be must be a man of the nineteenth century.” quote by Thomas B. Macaulay
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“We must succumb to the general influence of the times. No man can be of the tenth century, if he would; be must be a man of the nineteenth century.”

Thomas B. Macaulay

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

People must adapt to the dominant ideas of their era; clinging to outdated thinking limits relevance.

In simple terms: Adapt to your times; resist stagnation.

Key Takeaway

Embrace contemporary ideas while honoring the past.

Themes

adaptation history progress

Mood

thoughtful critical

Type

historical motivational

When to use this quote

  • career planning
  • education
  • political discourse

Key Concepts

sociology philosophy

Questions to Reflect On

  • What aspects of the past should we preserve?
  • How can we balance innovation with tradition?
A Different Perspective

Change can erode valuable traditions.

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