Savages Quote by David Mitchell
““So, I asked ’gain, is it better to be savage’n to be Civ’lized? List’n, savages an’ Civ’lizeds ain’t divvied by tribes or b’liefs or mountain ranges, nay, ev’ry human is both, yay. Old Uns’d got the Smart o’ gods but the savagery o’jackals an’ that’s what tripped the Fall. Some savages what I knowed got a beautsome Civ’lized heart beatin’ in their ribs. Maybe some Kona. Not ’nuff to say so their hole tribe, but who knows one day. One day. “One day” was only a flea o’hope for us. Yay, I mem’ry Meronym sayin’, but fleas ain’t easy to rid.””
About This Quote
Source Book: Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell, 2004
The quote reflects on the blurred line between savagery and civilization, suggesting humanity contains both instincts and that labels are arbitrary.
In simple terms: Humans are both savage and civilized; labels are fluid.
Key Takeaway
Recognize the dual nature within yourself and others.
Themes
identity
human nature
civilization
duality
Mood
thoughtful
reflective
Type
analytical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- personal reflection
- social analysis
- cultural studies
Key Concepts
philosophy
anthropology
psychology
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you reconcile your 'savage' and 'civilized' impulses?
- What does it mean to be 'both' in modern society?
A Different Perspective
Progress still requires for; simplistic binaries; nuance is needed.
![“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)
