---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: And this is the ultimate lesson that our…"
description: "\"And this is the ultimate lesson that our knowledge of the mode of transmission of typhus has taught us: Man carries on his skin a parasite, the louse. ..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/95d/charles-nicolle-83898_beast_and-this-is-the-ultimate-lesson-that-our_2896339.jpg"
---

#  And this is the ultimate lesson that our knowledge of the…

![“And this is the ultimate lesson that our knowledge of the mode of transmission of typhus has taught us: Man carries on his skin a parasite, the louse. Civilization rids him of it. Should man regress, should he allow himself to resemble a primitive beast, the louse begins to multiply again and…” quote by Charles Nicolle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/95d/charles-nicolle-83898_beast_and-this-is-the-ultimate-lesson-that-our_2896339.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/95d/charles-nicolle-83898_beast_and-this-is-the-ultimate-lesson-that-our_2896339.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/95d/charles-nicolle-83898_beast_and-this-is-the-ultimate-lesson-that-our_2896339.jpg)

> “And this is the ultimate lesson that our knowledge of the mode of transmission of typhus has taught us: Man carries on his skin a parasite, the louse. Civilization rids him of it. Should man regress, should he allow himself to resemble a primitive beast, the louse begins to multiply again and treats man as he deserves, as a brute beast. This conclusion would have endeared itself to the warm heart of Alfred Nobel. My contribution to it makes me feel less unworthy of the honour which you have conferred upon me in his name.”

Charles Nicolle

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Human civilization keeps parasites at bay; regression to primitive conditions revives disease, reflecting moral decay.

**In simple terms:** Civilization protects against disease; regression invites it.

Key Takeaway

Maintain progress and public health vigilance.

Themes

public health civilization morality parasites

Mood

cautionary serious

Type

historical educational

When to use this quote

- urban planning
- health policy
- education programs

Key Concepts

epidemiology ethics

Questions to Reflect On

- What societal habits increase disease risk?
- How can ethics guide health decisions?

A Different Perspective

Technological advances alone cannot prevent moral decline.

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