What do we see by [our enlightened age] which our…
![“What do we see by [our enlightened age] which our ancestors saw not, and which at the same time is worth seeing? We see a hundred men hanged, where they saw one. We see five hundred transported, where they saw one. We see five thousand in the workhouse, where they saw one. . . . We see children…” quote by Thomas Love Peacock](https://sms4smile.com/q/i/ddc/thomas-love-peacock-12564_seeing_what-do-we-see-by-our-enlightened-age-wh_1071492.png)
““What do we see by [our enlightened age] which our ancestors saw not, and which at the same time is worth seeing? We see a hundred men hanged, where they saw one. We see five hundred transported, where they saw one. We see five thousand in the workhouse, where they saw one. . . . We see children perishing in manufactories, where they saw them flourishing in the fields. We see prisons, where they saw castles. We see masters, where they saw representatives. In short, they saw true men, where we see false knaves. They saw Milton, and we see Mr. Sackbut.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The author critiques how modern society perceives suffering and injustice compared to ancestors, revealing moral blindness.
In simple terms: Modern eyes see suffering; ancestors saw prosperity.
Key Takeaway
Question our assumptions about progress.
Themes
society
morality
history
Mood
critical
philosophical
Type
literary
historical
When to use this quote
- social reform
- historical analysis
- ethical debate
Key Concepts
perception
historical relativism
social critique
Questions to Reflect On
- What does “true men” versus “false knaves” imply?
- How do we reconcile past and present moral standards?
A Different Perspective
Might oversimplify complex historical contexts.