Ancestors Quote by Edgar Rice Burroughs
““Hundreds of thousands of years ago our ancestors of the dim and distant past faced the same problems which we must face, possibly in these same primeval forests. That we are here today evidences their victory. What they did may we not do? And even better, for are we not armed with ages of superior knowledge, and have we not the means of protection, defense, and sustenance which science has given us, but of which they were totally ignorant? What they accomplished, Alice, with instruments and weapons of stone and bone, surely that may we accomplish also.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Land That Time Forgot, 1918
Ancestors solved survival challenges with limited tools; modern science gives us greater power, yet we must still act wisely.
In simple terms: Past survival shows we can overcome challenges with knowledge.
Key Takeaway
Apply ancient lessons with modern science responsibly.
Themes
history
science
survival
Mood
inspirational
cautionary
Type
philosophical
motivational
When to use this quote
- environmental crises
- space exploration
- public health emergencies
Key Concepts
human ingenuity
technological advancement
Questions to Reflect On
- What can we learn from ancient problem‑solving?
- How do we balance technology with humility?
A Different Perspective
Overreliance on technology may breed complacency.
![“Crucial decisions are made, today as thousands of years ago, in terms of the intuitive guesses and preferences of a few men in positions of authority...[it is] quite likely that the fate of entire societies may be sealed by a series of avoidable mistakes committed by their leaders.” quote by Michael Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/a59/michael-lewis-705_decision-making_crucial-decisions-are-made-today-as-thou_16888.jpg)
![“The poetic image […] is not an echo of the past. On the contrary: through the brilliance of any image, the distant past resounds with echoes.” quote by Gaston Bachelard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/8a9/gaston-bachelard-2318_brilliance_the-poetic-image-is-not-an-echo-of-the-p_1218274.jpg)
