--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: As agonizing a disease as cancer is, I do…" description: "\"As agonizing a disease as cancer is, I do not think it can be said that our civilization is threatened by it. ... But a very plausible case can be made..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6af/carl-sagan-160_adequate_as-agonizing-a-disease-as-cancer-is-i-do_2212272.jpg" --- # As agonizing a disease as cancer is, I do not think it can… ![“As agonizing a disease as cancer is, I do not think it can be said that our civilization is threatened by it. ... But a very plausible case can be made that our civilization is fundamentally threatened by the lack of adequate fertility control. Exponential increases of population will dominate any…” quote by Carl Sagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6af/carl-sagan-160_adequate_as-agonizing-a-disease-as-cancer-is-i-do_2212272.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6af/carl-sagan-160_adequate_as-agonizing-a-disease-as-cancer-is-i-do_2212272.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6af/carl-sagan-160_adequate_as-agonizing-a-disease-as-cancer-is-i-do_2212272.jpg) > “As agonizing a disease as cancer is, I do not think it can be said that our civilization is threatened by it. ... But a very plausible case can be made that our civilization is fundamentally threatened by the lack of adequate fertility control. Exponential increases of population will dominate any arithmetic increases, even those brought about by heroic technological initiatives, in the availability of food and resources, as Malthus long ago realized.” [Carl Sagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-sagan/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Population growth outpaces resource gains, making fertility control essential for civilization’s survival. **In simple terms:** Too many people strain resources. Key Takeaway Prioritize family planning. Themes population resources civilization Mood concerned urgent Type analytical warning When to use this quote - policy making - education campaigns - healthcare planning - urban development Key Concepts Malthusian dynamics exponential growth sustainability Questions to Reflect On - How can societies balance growth with sustainability? - What policies effectively reduce fertility rates? A Different Perspective Addressing fertility alone won’t solve all ecological issues. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Arithmetic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/arithmetic/) [Cancer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cancer/) [Civilization](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/civilization/) [Disease](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/disease/) [Fertility](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fertility/) [Heroic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/heroic/) [Initiative](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/initiative/) [Long ago](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/long-ago/) [Malthus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/malthus/) [Realization](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/realization/) [Science](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/science/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) ## Related quotes > [If we don't watch out, the pleasure o be gained from the discriminating enjoyment of food will be lost. 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