Decadence Quote by Bernard Capes
““This,' said the stranger softly, as if to himself, 'is the woeful proof, indeed, of decadence. Man waives his prerogative of lordship over the irreclaimable savagery of earth. He has warmed his temperate house of clay to be a hot-house to his imagination, till the very walls are frail and eaten with fever.' ("The Accursed Cordonnier")””
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Accursed Cordonnier by Bernard Capes, 1905
The quote laments humanity’s loss of primal connection, suggesting civilization has turned into a fragile, imagined construct detached from Earth’s raw nature.
In simple terms: Civilization disconnects us from nature, making us fragile.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and respect natural instincts.
Themes
civilization
decadence
nature
primal instincts
Mood
melancholic
reflective
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- urban living
- technological dependence
- environmental degradation
- personal introspection
Key Concepts
existentialism
environmental philosophy
Questions to Reflect On
- How does modern comfort distance us from nature?
- Can we balance imagination with ecological awareness?
A Different Perspective
The perspective may romanticize savagery, overlooking benefits of progress.
