Civilized Quote by Ayn Rand
“When you have civilized men fighting savages, you support the civilized men, no matter who they are.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand, 1957
Supporting any side in a conflict between civilization and savagery endorses the civilized, regardless of identity.
In simple terms: Back the civilized side, no matter who they are.
Key Takeaway
Choose the side of civilization.
Themes
civilization
conflict
ethics
Mood
critical
thoughtful
Type
political
philosophical
When to use this quote
- political debate
- human rights advocacy
- media analysis
- historical study
Key Concepts
philosophy
political theory
Questions to Reflect On
- Who defines 'civilized' in a given conflict?
- Is supporting civilization always just?
A Different Perspective
May overlook complexities of who is truly civilized.
![“The most ultimately righteous of all wars is a war with savages, though it is apt to be also the most terrible and inhuman. The rude, fierce settler who drives the savage from the land lays all civilized mankind under a debt to him. ...[I]t is of incalculable importance that America, Australia…” quote by Theodore Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/b16/theodore-roosevelt-218_aboriginal_the-most-ultimately-righteous-of-all-war_273010.jpg)
![“That country [Carthage] was rapidly sinking into the state of barbarism from whence it had been raised by the Phoenician colonies and Roman laws; and every step of intestine discord was marked by some deplorable victory of savage man over civilized society.” quote by Edward Gibbon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/70c/edward-gibbon-710_barbarism_that-country-carthage-was-rapidly-sinkin_393.jpg)
