Civilization Quotes by Bertrand Russell
All Civilization quotes Bertrand Russell’s page
Russell never shied away from questioning the foundations of our collective life, and here his words lay bare his sharp analysis. Across eighteen entries, you’ll encounter his blend of wit and rigor as he dissects the promises and pitfalls of modern society.
![“The first essential character [of civilization], I should say, is forethought. This, I would say, is what distinguishes men from brutes and adults from children.” quote by Bertrand Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/07a/bertrand-russell-69_adults_the-first-essential-character-of-civiliz_1556492.jpg)
![“The first essential character [of civilization], I should say, is forethought. This, indeed, is what mainly distinguishes men from brutes and adults from children.” quote by Bertrand Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/038/bertrand-russell-69_adults_the-first-essential-character-of-civiliz_260958.jpg)
![“Our use of the phrase 'The Dark Ages' to cover the period from 600 to 1000 marks our undue concentration on Western Europe. [...] From India to Spain, the brilliant civilisation of Islam flourished. What was lost to Christendom at this time was not lost to civilisation, but quite the contrary…” quote by Bertrand Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/c2e/bertrand-russell-69_civilization_our-use-of-the-phrase-the-dark-ages-to-c_206649.jpg)
![“If the State does not acquire supremacy over [vast private] enterprises, it becomes their puppet, and they become the real State.” quote by Bertrand Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/bad/bertrand-russell-69_acquire_if-the-state-does-not-acquire-supremacy_1379.jpg)
