--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Our civilization is first and foremost a…" description: "\"“Our civilization is first and foremost a civilization of means; in the reality of modern life, the means, it would seem, are more important than the e..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5b1/jacques-ellul-4407_civilization_our-civilization-is-first-and-foremost-a_3167584.jpg" --- # Our civilization is first and foremost a civilization of… ![“Our civilization is first and foremost a civilization of means; in the reality of modern life, the means, it would seem, are more important than the ends. Any other assessment of the situation is mere idealism.” quote by Jacques Ellul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5b1/jacques-ellul-4407_civilization_our-civilization-is-first-and-foremost-a_3167584.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5b1/jacques-ellul-4407_civilization_our-civilization-is-first-and-foremost-a_3167584.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5b1/jacques-ellul-4407_civilization_our-civilization-is-first-and-foremost-a_3167584.jpg) > ““Our civilization is first and foremost a civilization of means; in the reality of modern life, the means, it would seem, are more important than the ends. Any other assessment of the situation is mere idealism.”” [Jacques Ellul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacques-ellul/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Modern life often values tools and efficiency over deeper purposes, leading to a focus on means rather than ends. **In simple terms:** We prioritize tools over goals. Key Takeaway Balance means with meaningful ends. Themes technology values society Mood critical analytical Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - business strategy - public policy - personal goal setting - environmental planning Key Concepts means‑ends analysis idealism pragmatism Questions to Reflect On - What ends are you sacrificing for efficiency? - How can you align means with higher values? A Different Perspective Overemphasis on means can ignore ethical implications. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Civilization](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/civilization/) [History-of-mankind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/history-of-mankind/) [Idealism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/idealism/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Modern life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/modern-life/) [Truth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/truth/) ## Related quotes > [Our civilization is first and foremost a civilization of means; in the reality of modern life, the means, it would seem, are more important…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacques-ellul/our-civilization-is-first-and-foremost-a-civilization-of-means-in-the/) [Jacques Ellul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacques-ellul/) > [In the Gospels, for instance, we sometimes find the kingdom of heaven illustrated by principles drawn from observation of this world rather than from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-santayana/in-the-gospels-for-instance-we-sometimes-find-the-kingdom-of-heaven/) [George Santayana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-santayana/) > [“Borderless world is a good idea. 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