---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: In this primitive and abject state [of…"
description: "\"In this primitive and abject state [of hunters and gatherers], which ill deserves the name of society, the human brute, without arts or laws, almost wi..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/de0/edward-gibbon-710_animal_in-this-primitive-and-abject-state-of-hu_2722444.png"
---

#  In this primitive and abject state \[of hunters and…

![“In this primitive and abject state [of hunters and gatherers], which ill deserves the name of society, the human brute, without arts or laws, almost without sense or language, is poorly distinguished from the rest of the animal creation.” quote by Edward Gibbon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/de0/edward-gibbon-710_animal_in-this-primitive-and-abject-state-of-hu_2722444.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/de0/edward-gibbon-710_animal_in-this-primitive-and-abject-state-of-hu_2722444.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/de0/edward-gibbon-710_animal_in-this-primitive-and-abject-state-of-hu_2722444.png)

> “In this primitive and abject state \[of hunters and gatherers\], which ill deserves the name of society, the human brute, without arts or laws, almost without sense or language, is poorly distinguished from the rest of the animal creation.”

[Edward Gibbon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-gibbon/)

## About This Quote

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

Early societies lacked structured law, art, or language, making them barely distinct from animals.

**In simple terms:** Primitive societies were almost animal‑like.

Key Takeaway

Value civilization.

Themes

civilization law culture humanity

Mood

thoughtful serious

Type

historical philosophical

When to use this quote

- education
- policy making
- cultural preservation
- ethical debates

Key Concepts

social evolution anthropology

Questions to Reflect On

- What defines a society today?
- How do laws shape humanity?

A Different Perspective

Modern societies still struggle with lawlessness.

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[Animal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/animal/) [Animals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/animals/) [Art](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/art/) [Creation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/creation/) [Humans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humans/) [Hunters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hunters/) [Ill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ill/) [Language](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/language/) [Law](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/law/) [Primitive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/primitive/)

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