Barbarians Quote by George Santayana
“Progress, far from consisting in change, depends on retentiveness. When change is absolute there remains no being to improve and no direction is set for possible improvement: and when experience is not retained, as among savages, infancy is perpetual. Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it. In the first stage of life the mind is frivolous and easily distracted; it misses progress by failing in consecutiveness and persistence. This is the condition of children and barbarians, in which instinct has learned nothing from experience.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Life of Reason, Volume III, 1905
Progress relies on retaining knowledge; without memory, change is meaningless and repeats past mistakes.
In simple terms: Remembering the past is essential for growth.
Key Takeaway
Preserve learning to advance.
Themes
education
memory
progress
Mood
introspective
philosophical
thoughtful
Type
educational
reflective
When to use this quote
- schooling
- personal development
- policy making
Key Concepts
philosophy
historical cycles
Questions to Reflect On
- How can societies ensure accurate collective memory?
- What practices help individuals retain lessons?
A Different Perspective
Memory can be selective, leading to biased progress.
