--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: For if we take the ages into our account…" description: "\"For if we take the ages into our account, may there not be a civilization going on among brutes as well as men?\" — Henry David Thoreau" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/00d/henry-david-thoreau-20_accounts_for-if-we-take-the-ages-into-our-account_291328.jpg" --- # For if we take the ages into our account, may there not be… ![“For if we take the ages into our account, may there not be a civilization going on among brutes as well as men?” quote by Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/00d/henry-david-thoreau-20_accounts_for-if-we-take-the-ages-into-our-account_291328.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/00d/henry-david-thoreau-20_accounts_for-if-we-take-the-ages-into-our-account_291328.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/00d/henry-david-thoreau-20_accounts_for-if-we-take-the-ages-into-our-account_291328.jpg) > “For if we take the ages into our account, may there not be a civilization going on among brutes as well as men?” [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Considers whether brutish beings might also create civilization alongside refined humans. **In simple terms:** Brutes may also build societies. Key Takeaway Recognize diverse contributors. Themes philosophy human nature civilization Mood thoughtful speculative Type philosophical analytical When to use this quote - historical analysis - community building - education - policy making Key Concepts social evolution anthropology Questions to Reflect On - What defines “brutes”? - Can different groups coexist peacefully? A Different Perspective Assuming brutishness excludes civilization is a bias. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Account Civilization](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/account-civilization-2801527/) [Accounts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/accounts/) [Age](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/age/) [Brutes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/brutes/) [Brutes Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/brutes-men-2801528/) [Civilization](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/civilization/) [Civilization Going](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/civilization-going-720053/) [Evolution](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/evolution/) [Going Brutes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/going-brutes-2801529/) [Ifs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ifs/) [May](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/may/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Nature](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nature/) [Wells](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wells/) ## Related quotes > [Heav'n from all creatures hides the book of fate, All but the page prescribed, their present state: From brutes what men, from men what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/heav-n-from-all-creatures-hides-the-book-of-fate-all-but-the-page-2/) [Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) > [I argue that I don't think it's a moral position to say that civilization is going to collapse, and that's okay. 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