--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: He, I know - for the question had been…" description: "\"“He, I know - for the question had been discussed among us long before the Time Machine was made - thought but cheerlessly of the Advancement of Mankin..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/937/h-g-wells-2-1299_time_he-i-know-for-the-question-had-been-disc_1895194.jpg" --- # He, I know - for the question had been discussed among us… ![“He, I know - for the question had been discussed among us long before the Time Machine was made - thought but cheerlessly of the Advancement of Mankind, and saw in the growing pile of civilisation only a foolish heaping that must inevitably fall back upon and destroy its makers in the end.” quote by H.G. Wells](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/937/h-g-wells-2-1299_time_he-i-know-for-the-question-had-been-disc_1895194.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/937/h-g-wells-2-1299_time_he-i-know-for-the-question-had-been-disc_1895194.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/937/h-g-wells-2-1299_time_he-i-know-for-the-question-had-been-disc_1895194.jpg) > ““He, I know - for the question had been discussed among us long before the Time Machine was made - thought but cheerlessly of the Advancement of Mankind, and saw in the growing pile of civilisation only a foolish heaping that must inevitably fall back upon and destroy its makers in the end.”” [H.G. Wells](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/h-g-wells-2/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Advancement of civilization may be built on fragile foundations that could collapse and harm its creators. **In simple terms:** Progress can be self‑destructive. Key Takeaway Beware hubris in technological growth. Themes civilization hubris technology future danger Mood cautious reflective Type philosophical warning When to use this quote - industrialization - environmental policy - urban planning - historical analysis Key Concepts entropy impermanence ethical limits Questions to Reflect On - How can societies balance innovation with sustainability? - What safeguards prevent civilization’s downfall? A Different Perspective Progress often ignores long‑term consequences. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) [Time machine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time-machine/) ## Related quotes > [It was eerie. I saw myself in that machine. 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The full title of this book is: "This is the story my great-grandfather…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jarod-kintz/the-best-description-of-this-book-is-found-within-the-title-the-full/) [Jarod Kintz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jarod-kintz/) > [Music is an escape. 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Wells](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/h-g-wells-2/) > [“An unpleasant odour would not be objected to, it is not objected to now in many continental hotels.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/h-g-wells-2/an-unpleasant-odour-would-not-be-objected-to-it-is-not-objected-to/) [H.G. Wells](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/h-g-wells-2/) > [“In the early evening time Dr. Kemp was sitting in his study in the belvedere on the hill overlooking Burdock. It was a pleasant…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/h-g-wells-2/in-the-early-evening-time-dr-kemp-was-sitting-in-his-study-in-the/) [H.G. Wells](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/h-g-wells-2/) > [“The whole world will be intelligent, educated, and co-operating; things will move faster and faster towards the subjugation of Nature. In the end, wisely…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/h-g-wells-2/the-whole-world-will-be-intelligent-educated-and-co-operating-things/) [H.G. Wells](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/h-g-wells-2/) > [“For three centuries the life of the Hebrews was like the life of a man who insists upon living in the middle of a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/h-g-wells-2/for-three-centuries-the-life-of-the-hebrews-was-like-the-life-of-a/) [H.G. Wells](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/h-g-wells-2/) [Explore all 246 H.G. Wells quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/h-g-wells-2/) ## More Time quotes > ['Mad TV' is one of my most favorite shows of all time and is a huge part of my obsession with sketch comedy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shane-dawson/mad-tv-is-one-of-my-most-favorite-shows-of-all-time-and-is-a-huge/) [Shane Dawson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shane-dawson/) > [These joys were so trifling as to be as imperceptible as grains of gold among the sand, and in moments of depression she saw…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leo-tolstoy/these-joys-were-so-trifling-as-to-be-as-imperceptible-as-grains-of/) [Leo Tolstoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leo-tolstoy/) > [“William didn't look like he'd be difficult about anything - he was thin and sandy-haired and already wore eyeglasses like his father. Most of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patricia-c-wrede/william-didn-t-look-like-he-d-be-difficult-about-anything-he-was-thin/) [Patricia C. 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