--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The progress of manufactures and commerce…" description: "\"The progress of manufactures and commerce insensibly collects a large multitude within the walls of a city: but these citizens are no longer soldiers; ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e5b/edward-gibbon-710_art_the-progress-of-manufactures-and-commerc_955346.png" --- # The progress of manufactures and commerce insensibly… ![“The progress of manufactures and commerce insensibly collects a large multitude within the walls of a city: but these citizens are no longer soldiers; and the arts which adorn and improve the state of civil society, corrupt the habits of the military life.” quote by Edward Gibbon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e5b/edward-gibbon-710_art_the-progress-of-manufactures-and-commerc_955346.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e5b/edward-gibbon-710_art_the-progress-of-manufactures-and-commerc_955346.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e5b/edward-gibbon-710_art_the-progress-of-manufactures-and-commerc_955346.png) > “The progress of manufactures and commerce insensibly collects a large multitude within the walls of a city: but these citizens are no longer soldiers; and the arts which adorn and improve the state of civil society, corrupt the habits of the military life.” [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. Economic growth and cultural refinement in cities transform citizens away from martial virtues, leading to a decline in military discipline. **In simple terms:** Wealth and culture can erode military vigor. Key Takeaway Balance civic development with martial training. Themes civilization military urbanization culture decline Mood analytical concerned historical Type political social When to use this quote - urban planning - defense policy - education reform - community building Key Concepts political theory social change military sociology Questions to Reflect On - How can modern societies preserve civic virtue amid wealth? - What policies sustain both culture and defense? A Different Perspective Economic prosperity may weaken defense readiness if not managed. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Art](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/art/) [Artist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/artist/) [Business](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/business/) [Cities](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cities/) [Civil society](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/civil-society/) [Commerce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/commerce/) [Habit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/habit/) [Habits](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/habits/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Military](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/military/) [Military life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/military-life/) [Progress](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/progress/) [Soldier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/soldier/) [Wall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wall/) ## Related quotes > [This City is what it is because our citizens are what they are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/this-city-is-what-it-is-because-our-citizens-are-what-they-are/) [Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/) > [This is the city, and I am one of the citizens/Whatever interests the rest interests me](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walt-whitman/this-is-the-city-and-i-am-one-of-the-citizens-whatever-interests-the/) [Walt Whitman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walt-whitman/) > [“This City is what it is because are citizens are what they are " -Plato”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/red-wemette/this-city-is-what-it-is-because-are-citizens-are-what-they-are-plato/) Red Wemette > [There are a lot of rules in cities that were designed to protect a particular incumbent, but not to move a city's constituents, a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/travis-kalanick/there-are-a-lot-of-rules-in-cities-that-were-designed-to-protect-a/) [Travis Kalanick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/travis-kalanick/) > [I don't have my finger on the pulse of corruption in China, but I think most people on the ground would say that as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clayton-christensen/i-don-t-have-my-finger-on-the-pulse-of-corruption-in-china-but-i/) [Clayton Christensen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clayton-christensen/) > [“Trust yourself, because society always corrupt our confidence.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-hanouf-halawi/trust-yourself-because-society-always-corrupt-our-confidence/) Al-Hanouf Halawi > [Illnesses have always been used as metaphors to enliven charges that a society was corrupt or unjust.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-sontag/illnesses-have-always-been-used-as-metaphors-to-enliven-charges-that/) [Susan Sontag](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-sontag/) > [The mistake you make, don't you see,is in thinking one can live in a corrupt society without being corrupt oneself. 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