--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It must be admitted that there is a…" description: "\"It must be admitted that there is a degree of instability which is inconsistent with civilization. But, on the whole, the great ages have been unstable..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/345/alfred-north-whitehead-836_age_it-must-be-admitted-that-there-is-a-degr_400221.png" --- # It must be admitted that there is a degree of instability… ![“It must be admitted that there is a degree of instability which is inconsistent with civilization. But, on the whole, the great ages have been unstable ages.” quote by Alfred North Whitehead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/345/alfred-north-whitehead-836_age_it-must-be-admitted-that-there-is-a-degr_400221.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/345/alfred-north-whitehead-836_age_it-must-be-admitted-that-there-is-a-degr_400221.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/345/alfred-north-whitehead-836_age_it-must-be-admitted-that-there-is-a-degr_400221.png) > “It must be admitted that there is a degree of instability which is inconsistent with civilization. But, on the whole, the great ages have been unstable ages.” [Alfred North Whitehead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfred-north-whitehead/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Civilization experiences instability, yet great ages are marked by such flux. **In simple terms:** Instability coexists with progress. Key Takeaway Accept change as part of growth. Themes philosophy society history Mood thoughtful inquisitive Type philosophical analytical When to use this quote - urban planning - political reform - cultural movements Key Concepts dialectical process civilizational cycles instability theory Questions to Reflect On - What makes an age “great”? - How can societies manage instability? A Different Perspective Instability can threaten cohesion. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Age](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/age/) [Ages Unstable](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ages-unstable-3589520/) [Civilization](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/civilization/) [Civilization Great](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/civilization-great-680389/) [Degrees](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/degrees/) [Has beens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/has-beens/) [Inconsistent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inconsistent/) [Inconsistent Civilization](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inconsistent-civilization-3589518/) [Instability](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/instability/) [Unstable](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/unstable/) [Unstable Ages](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/unstable-ages-3589519/) [Whole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/whole/) ## Related quotes > [If the Egyptian people can create a democracy in the heart of the Arab world, it will be a more significant contribution to civilization…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lindsey-graham/if-the-egyptian-people-can-create-a-democracy-in-the-heart-of-the/) [Lindsey Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lindsey-graham/) > [Technical civilization has made a great error in not suppressing death, the only human reality still intact](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacques-ellul/technical-civilization-has-made-a-great-error-in-not-suppressing/) [Jacques Ellul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacques-ellul/) > [A civilization is as great as its dreams, and its dreams are dreamt by artists.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/l-ron-hubbard/a-civilization-is-as-great-as-its-dreams-and-its-dreams-are-dreamt-by/) [L. 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