Cynical Quote by Francois Maspero
““A lifetime spent in the study of the history of societies since the dawn of mankind presumably inclined him to skepticism and misgivings in regard to any great scheme, religious or political, that set out to create universal happiness in one fell swoop; what it was more likely to create, in his opinion, was universal misery; and his faith in heaven-sent saviors was hardly greater.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The History of Civilization, 1998
He argues that attempts to engineer universal happiness often produce widespread suffering, and faith in saviors is limited.
In simple terms: Utopian schemes tend to cause misery; faith in saviors is weak.
Key Takeaway
Question grand plans and their real outcomes.
Themes
skepticism
politics
philosophy
human nature
Mood
critical
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
analytical
When to use this quote
- political reform
- social engineering
- religious movements
- policy design
Key Concepts
utopia
faith
misery
critical analysis
Questions to Reflect On
- What historical examples support his view?
- Can any universal solution succeed?
A Different Perspective
Idealistic visions can ignore practical complexities.
![“[N]early all that we call human history—money, poverty, ambition, war, prostitution, classes, empires, slavery—[is] the long terrible story of man trying to find something other than God which will make him happy.” quote by C.S. Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/4b7/c-s-lewis-121_christianity_n-early-all-that-we-call-human-history-m_170233.jpg)
![“[A]ll that we call human history—money, poverty, ambition, war, prostitution, classes, empires, slavery—[is] the long terrible story of man trying to find something other than God which will make him happy.” quote by C.S. Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/d7a/c-s-lewis-121_christianity_a-ll-that-we-call-human-history-money-po_2669261.jpg)
![“[He] embodies this tension between civilization and its discontents, between the longing for a rational and cultured life and the bad luck and regrets and emotional anarchy that sabotage it.” quote by Daniel Menaker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/bc4/daniel-menaker-45729_bad-luck_he-embodies-this-tension-between-civiliz_2832234.jpg)
