--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The truth is, our civilization is not…" description: "\"The truth is, our civilization is not Christian; it is a tragic compound of great ideal and fearful practice, of loving charity and fearful clutching o..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d37/alan-paton-6865_charity_the-truth-is-our-civilization-is-not-chr_2891766.jpg" --- # The truth is, our civilization is not Christian; it is a… ![“The truth is, our civilization is not Christian; it is a tragic compound of great ideal and fearful practice, of loving charity and fearful clutching of possessions.” quote by Alan Paton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d37/alan-paton-6865_charity_the-truth-is-our-civilization-is-not-chr_2891766.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d37/alan-paton-6865_charity_the-truth-is-our-civilization-is-not-chr_2891766.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d37/alan-paton-6865_charity_the-truth-is-our-civilization-is-not-chr_2891766.jpg) > “The truth is, our civilization is not Christian; it is a tragic compound of great ideal and fearful practice, of loving charity and fearful clutching of possessions.” [Alan Paton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-paton/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Civilization blends noble ideals with fearful practices and material cling. **In simple terms:** Human societies mix ideals and fear. Key Takeaway Balance ideals with awareness of fear. Themes philosophy human nature materialism Mood reflective somber Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - social policy - education reform - community building Key Concepts ethics psychology culture Questions to Reflect On - How do you reconcile idealism with reality? - What possessions hinder your growth? A Different Perspective Idealism can be undermined by fear. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Charity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/charity/) [Christian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christian/) [Civilization](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/civilization/) [Fearful](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fearful/) [Possession](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/possession/) [Practice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/practice/) [Tragic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tragic/) [Truth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/truth/) ## Related quotes > [No civilization other than that which is Christian, is worth seeking or possessing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/otto-von-bismarck/no-civilization-other-than-that-which-is-christian-is-worth-seeking/) [Otto von Bismarck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/otto-von-bismarck/) > [Our civilization is not Christian. It does not come from the skies. It is not a result of inspiration. 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When the storm threatens, a man…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-paton/sorrow-is-better-than-fear-fear-is-a-journey-a-terrible-journey-but/) [Alan Paton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-paton/) > [Nosecond Johannesburg isneededuponthe earth.One is enough.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-paton/nosecond-johannesburg-isneededuponthe-earth-one-is-enough/) [Alan Paton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-paton/) > [When a deep injury is done us, we never recover until we forgive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-paton/when-a-deep-injury-is-done-us-we-never-recover-until-we-forgive/) [Alan Paton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-paton/) > [“I see only one hope for our country, and that is when white men and black men, desiring neither power nor money, but desiring…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-paton/i-see-only-one-hope-for-our-country-and-that-is-when-white-men-and/) [Alan Paton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-paton/) [Explore all 97 Alan Paton quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-paton/) ## More Charity quotes > [The greatest charity you can contribute to is yourself. 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Ask about the scale of their dreams.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-next-time-you-re-looking-at-a-charity-don-t-ask-about-the-rate-of/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Both fact and logic seem to me to support the view that savings invested in privately owned economic tools of production amount to an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/f-a-harper/both-fact-and-logic-seem-to-me-to-support-the-view-that-savings/) F. A. Harper > [I shall pray God to send charity into this hideous world, and sympathy for the weak, and love for the unhappy and unfortunate. 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