And confronting these men, wild and terrible as we agree…
““And confronting these men, wild and terrible as we agree that they were, there were men of quite another kind, smiling and adorned with ribbons and stars, silk stockinged, yellow gloved and with polished boots; men who insisted on the preservation of the past, of the Middle Ages, of divine right, of bigotry, ignorance, enslavement, the death penalty and war, and who, talking in polished undertones, glorified the sword and the executioners' block. For our part, if we had to choose between the barbarians of civilization and those civilized upholders of barbarism we would choose the former.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
He contrasts barbaric savagery with those who cling to oppressive traditions, urging a choice of true humanity over false civility.
In simple terms: Choose genuine humanity over oppressive traditions.
Key Takeaway
Reject outdated, oppressive ideals.
Themes
justice
tradition
humanity
civilization
choice
Mood
thoughtful
critical
Type
philosophical
political
When to use this quote
- political debates
- education
- cultural preservation
Key Concepts
historical oppression
moral philosophy
social critique
Questions to Reflect On
- What defines true civilization?
- How can societies move beyond harmful traditions?
A Different Perspective
The “civilized” side may also be flawed; nuance is needed.