Age Quote by Edward Gibbon
“The valuable library of Alexandria was pillaged or destroyed; and near twenty years afterwards, the appearance of the empty shelves excited the regret and indignation of every spectator whose mind was not totally darkened by religious prejudice. The compositions of ancient genius, so many of which have irretrievably perished, might surely have been excepted from the wreck of idolatry, for the amusement and instruction of succeeding ages.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, 1776
The loss of Alexandria's library symbolizes how cultural destruction erodes knowledge and future progress.
In simple terms: Destruction of knowledge harms future generations.
Key Takeaway
Preserve and share knowledge.
Themes
history
knowledge
religion
prejudice
Mood
somber
reflective
Type
historical
cautionary
When to use this quote
- academia
- library preservation
- education policy
- heritage activism
Key Concepts
cultural loss
intellectual heritage
religious intolerance
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we protect knowledge today?
- What modern 'libraries' are at risk?
A Different Perspective
Even without the library, some knowledge survived through later scholars.
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