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Abandoned buildings Quote by Georges Bataille

“One day or another, it is true, dust, supposing it persists, will probably begin to gain the upper hand over domestics, invading the immense ruins of abandoned buildings, deserted dockyards; and, at that distant epoch, nothing will remain to ward off night-terrors, for lack of which we have become…” quote by Georges Bataille
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““One day or another, it is true, dust, supposing it persists, will probably begin to gain the upper hand over domestics, invading the immense ruins of abandoned buildings, deserted dockyards; and, at that distant epoch, nothing will remain to ward off night-terrors, for lack of which we have become such great book-keepers...””

Georges Bataille

About This Quote

Source Book: The Accursed Share, Georges Bataille, 1949

Human constructs are fragile; over time, nature reclaims spaces, erasing our attempts to control it.

In simple terms: Nature will overtake human creations.

Key Takeaway

Respect natural limits.

Themes

impermanence nature human hubris

Mood

reflective somber

Type

philosophical literary

When to use this quote

  • urban planning
  • environmental policy
  • heritage preservation
  • long‑term sustainability

Key Concepts

entropy decay civilization collapse

Questions to Reflect On

  • How can societies design for inevitable change?
  • What responsibilities do we have to future generations?
A Different Perspective

Human effort can delay but not stop natural processes.

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