---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: States are great engines moving slowly."
description: "\"States are great engines moving slowly.\" — Francis Bacon"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/411/francis-bacon-297_engines_states-are-great-engines-moving-slowly-2_2999518.jpg"
---

#  States are great engines moving slowly.

![“States are great engines moving slowly.” quote by Francis Bacon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/411/francis-bacon-297_engines_states-are-great-engines-moving-slowly-2_2999518.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/411/francis-bacon-297_engines_states-are-great-engines-moving-slowly-2_2999518.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/411/francis-bacon-297_engines_states-are-great-engines-moving-slowly-2_2999518.jpg)

> “States are great engines moving slowly.”

[Francis Bacon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-bacon/)

## About This Quote

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

Societies progress slowly, like engines that move with deliberate force.

**In simple terms:** Societies move slowly like engines.

Key Takeaway

Patience in progress.

Themes

societal change slow progress systems

Mood

thoughtful steady

Type

philosophical analytical

When to use this quote

- policy reform
- social movements
- long‑term planning

Key Concepts

political theory history

Questions to Reflect On

- What incremental steps can accelerate change?
- How to balance patience with urgency?

A Different Perspective

Patience can lead to complacency.

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## More by Francis Bacon

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