Alas Quote by Henry David Thoreau
“The civilized nations--Greece, Rome, England--have been sustained by the primitive forests which anciently rotted where they stand. They survive as long as the soil is not exhausted. Alas for human culture! little is to be expected of a nation, when the vegetable mould is exhausted, and it is compelled to make manure of the bones of its fathers. There the poet sustains himself merely by his own superfluous fat, and the philosopher comes down on his marrow-bones.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: “Civilized Nations” (excerpt), 1854
The passage warns that civilizations depend on healthy ecosystems; when soil is depleted, cultures collapse and resort to unsustainable practices.
In simple terms: Nature sustains culture; its loss leads to decay.
Key Takeaway
Protect soil and ecosystems to preserve societies.
Themes
environment
culture
resource depletion
civilization
sustainability
Mood
concerned
urgent
Type
environmental
sociopolitical
When to use this quote
- agricultural policy
- urban planning
- conservation efforts
- education on sustainability
Key Concepts
ecology
anthropology
economics
Questions to Reflect On
- How can societies balance development with ecological health?
- What are the long‑term costs of soil exhaustion?
A Different Perspective
Economic growth often ignores ecological limits.
