--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Civilization – and by this I do not mean…" description: "\"“Civilization – and by this I do not mean talking cinemas and tinned food, nor even surgery and hygienic houses, but the whole moral and artistic organ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/066/evelyn-waugh-850_christianity_civilization-and-by-this-i-do-not-mean-t_3190777.jpg" --- # Civilization – and by this I do not mean talking cinemas… ![“Civilization – and by this I do not mean talking cinemas and tinned food, nor even surgery and hygienic houses, but the whole moral and artistic organization of Europe – has not in itself the power of survival. It came into being through Christianity, and without it has no significance or power to…” quote by Evelyn Waugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/066/evelyn-waugh-850_christianity_civilization-and-by-this-i-do-not-mean-t_3190777.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/066/evelyn-waugh-850_christianity_civilization-and-by-this-i-do-not-mean-t_3190777.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/066/evelyn-waugh-850_christianity_civilization-and-by-this-i-do-not-mean-t_3190777.jpg) > ““Civilization – and by this I do not mean talking cinemas and tinned food, nor even surgery and hygienic houses, but the whole moral and artistic organization of Europe – has not in itself the power of survival. It came into being through Christianity, and without it has no significance or power to command allegiance…That is the first discovery, that Christianity is essential to civilization and that it is in greater need of combative strength than it has been for centuries.”” [Evelyn Waugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evelyn-waugh/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Civilization’s moral and artistic foundations rely on Christianity for cohesion and authority, not merely material comforts. **In simple terms:** Christianity underpins Europe’s cultural unity and power. Key Takeaway Recognize cultural roots in faith. Themes civilization faith culture authority history Mood reflective critical Type philosophical historical When to use this quote - education - political discourse - interfaith dialogue - civic identity Key Concepts Christianity social cohesion moral foundations Questions to Reflect On - How does faith shape cultural identity? - Can civilization thrive without religious frameworks? A Different Perspective Overlooks secular contributions to societal stability. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Christianity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christianity/) [Christianity Essential](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christianity-essential-4823335/) [Civilization](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/civilization/) [Civilization Greater](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/civilization-greater-5884084/) [Civilization Mean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/civilization-mean-1476740/) [Essential Civilization](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/essential-civilization-4458999/) [Integrity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/integrity/) [Philosophy of life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/philosophy-of-life/) ## Related quotes > [Civilization - and by this I do not mean talking cinemas and tinned food, nor even surgery and hygienic houses, but the whole moral…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evelyn-waugh/civilization-and-by-this-i-do-not-mean-talking-cinemas-and-tinned/) [Evelyn Waugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evelyn-waugh/) > [Of all the duties enjoined by Christianity none is more essential and yet more neglected than prayer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-fenelon/of-all-the-duties-enjoined-by-christianity-none-is-more-essential-and/) [Francois Fenelon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-fenelon/) > [What does civilization mean to you, and what would its ending bring to the world?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/serj-tankian/what-does-civilization-mean-to-you-and-what-would-its-ending-bring-to/) [Serj Tankian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/serj-tankian/) > [“Expression and communication are essential; without these, civilization ends.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/haruki-murakami/expression-and-communication-are-essential-without-these-civilization/) [Haruki Murakami](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/haruki-murakami/) > [I think the theatre is as essential to civilization as safe, pure water.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vanessa-redgrave/i-think-the-theatre-is-as-essential-to-civilization-as-safe-pure-water/) [Vanessa Redgrave](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vanessa-redgrave/) > [“It was my first clue that atheists are my brothers and sisters of a different faith, and every word they speak speaks of faith.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yann-martel/it-was-my-first-clue-that-atheists-are-my-brothers-and-sisters-of-a/) [Yann Martel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yann-martel/) > [When the writing is good, a book becomes a mirror. The reader will see an uncanny familiarity and respond accordingly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jen-knox/when-the-writing-is-good-a-book-becomes-a-mirror-the-reader-will-see/) [Jen Knox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jen-knox/) > [“Your destiny will not carry you over the long and winding path of life. You must walk it yourself.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-s-gal/your-destiny-will-not-carry-you-over-the-long-and-winding-path-of/) [Ian Ségal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-s-gal/) > [“Nourish your Nature. Be who you are meant to be.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-dentinger/nourish-your-nature-be-who-you-are-meant-to-be/) [Diana Dentinger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-dentinger/) > [“When life gets rough,don't panic! Just let it be! 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Donleavy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-p-donleavy/) > [“…progress isn't necessarily about change but about things turning out as we want them to”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-hogan/progress-isn-t-necessarily-about-change-but-about-things-turning-out/) [Phil Hogan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-hogan/) ## More by Evelyn Waugh > [If, for instance, they have heard something from the postman, they attribute it to a semi-official statement; if they have fallen into conversation with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evelyn-waugh/if-for-instance-they-have-heard-something-from-the-postman-they/) [Evelyn Waugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evelyn-waugh/) > [One can write, think and pray exclusively of others; dreams are all egocentric.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evelyn-waugh/one-can-write-think-and-pray-exclusively-of-others-dreams-are-all/) [Evelyn Waugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evelyn-waugh/) > [“Sometimes," Helena continued, "I have a terrible dream of the future. 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