--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The family is the engine that drives…" description: "\"The family is the engine that drives civilization. Throughout history, those cultures that have failed to found their rules and attitudes of society on..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9a2/jeremiah-denton-39193_attitude_the-family-is-the-engine-that-drives-civ_2416262.png" --- # The family is the engine that drives civilization… ![“The family is the engine that drives civilization. Throughout history, those cultures that have failed to found their rules and attitudes of society on the central importance of the family unit have decayed and disintegrated.” quote by Jeremiah Denton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9a2/jeremiah-denton-39193_attitude_the-family-is-the-engine-that-drives-civ_2416262.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9a2/jeremiah-denton-39193_attitude_the-family-is-the-engine-that-drives-civ_2416262.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9a2/jeremiah-denton-39193_attitude_the-family-is-the-engine-that-drives-civ_2416262.png) > “The family is the engine that drives civilization. Throughout history, those cultures that have failed to found their rules and attitudes of society on the central importance of the family unit have decayed and disintegrated.” [Jeremiah Denton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeremiah-denton/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Strong family bonds are foundational to societal stability and cultural continuity. **In simple terms:** Family is the core of civilization. Key Takeaway Prioritize family unity. Themes family civilization culture Mood thoughtful serious Type sociopolitical inspirational When to use this quote - parenting - community building - policy making - education reform Key Concepts sociology social cohesion Questions to Reflect On - How can families adapt to changing norms? - What policies support family stability? A Different Perspective Modern societies may prioritize individualism over family. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Attitude](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/attitude/) [Civilization](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/civilization/) [Community](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/community/) [Culture](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/culture/) [Family](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/family/) [Family unit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/family-unit/) [History](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/history/) ## Related quotes > [I love 'Braxton Family Values!' I love seeing a strong family unit striving for success while dealing with everyday struggles like everyone else. 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I had no experience of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-le-carre/i-was-quite-able-at-the-insignificant-work-i-did-in-mi6-but/) [John le Carre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-le-carre/) > [ How will the family unit be destroyed? ...\[T\]he demand alone will throw the whole ideology of the family into question, so that women can… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roxanne-dunbar-ortiz/how-will-the-family-unit-be-destroyed-t-he-demand-alone-will-throw/) [Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roxanne-dunbar-ortiz/) > [Guilty as charged. We are very much supportive of the family - the biblical definition of the family unit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-t-cathy/guilty-as-charged-we-are-very-much-supportive-of-the-family-the/) Dan T. Cathy > [Marriage is this black box which is the key to all social and political problems; the family is the unit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-marche/marriage-is-this-black-box-which-is-the-key-to-all-social-and/) [Stephen Marche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-marche/) > [The family unit is the most important organization in time or in eternity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-r-mcconkie/the-family-unit-is-the-most-important-organization-in-time-or-in/) [Bruce R. McConkie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-r-mcconkie/) > [Liberals have shifted government into a position of being neutral between right and wrong. By concentrating power in government institutions, liberals chisel at the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-g-watt/liberals-have-shifted-government-into-a-position-of-being-neutral/) [James G. Watt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-g-watt/) > [Rocky would definitely run for councilman. Maybe mayor. But these people are actually most effective in the family unit. That's where they shine.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sylvester-stallone/rocky-would-definitely-run-for-councilman-maybe-mayor-but-these/) [Sylvester Stallone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sylvester-stallone/) > [The family unit plays a critical role in our society and in the training of the generation to come.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-family-unit-plays-a-critical-role-in-our-society-and-in-the/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The Palestinians are not going anywhere - -they have nowhere to go. The Israeli Jews also aren't going anywhere - they have nowhere to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amos-oz/the-palestinians-are-not-going-anywhere-they-have-nowhere-to-go-the/) [Amos Oz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amos-oz/) > [One thing we forget about Hispanics is that they're family-unit-oriented as a culture. So it's not all wild Mexican gangs out there, as is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-nolte/one-thing-we-forget-about-hispanics-is-that-they-re-family-unit/) [Nick Nolte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-nolte/) > [Marriage, the family unit, was the "original Department of Health, Education and Welfare."](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-novak/marriage-the-family-unit-was-the-original-department-of-health/) [Michael Novak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-novak/) > [The family unit is fundamental not only to society and to the Church, but to our hope for eternal life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-b-eyring/the-family-unit-is-fundamental-not-only-to-society-and-to-the-church/) [Henry B. Eyring](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-b-eyring/) > [If you believe, if you value and treasure and revere the institution of marriage, then you should want every family unit to be really…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicolle-wallace/if-you-believe-if-you-value-and-treasure-and-revere-the-institution/) Nicolle Wallace ## More by Jeremiah Denton > [I would be killed by an atheistic government which was trying to force me to renounce my God-fearing government. I was convinced that the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeremiah-denton/i-would-be-killed-by-an-atheistic-government-which-was-trying-to/) [Jeremiah Denton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeremiah-denton/) > [Our coin bears the inscription: In God We Trust. And our Bible reassures us: The Lord is just and merciful. With the Lord thence…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeremiah-denton/our-coin-bears-the-inscription-in-god-we-trust-and-our-bible/) [Jeremiah Denton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeremiah-denton/) > [I prayed. God became more than faith. He became knowledge, and I appealed to him. Then I became ashamed. Why hadn't I embraced him…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeremiah-denton/i-prayed-god-became-more-than-faith-he-became-knowledge-and-i/) [Jeremiah Denton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeremiah-denton/) > [Although I had lived a far from perfect life, my heart and soul belonged to God, country, and family long before the Navy got…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeremiah-denton/although-i-had-lived-a-far-from-perfect-life-my-heart-and-soul/) [Jeremiah Denton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeremiah-denton/) > [The nation is only as strong as the collective strength of its individuals.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeremiah-denton/the-nation-is-only-as-strong-as-the-collective-strength-of-its/) [Jeremiah Denton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeremiah-denton/) > [We are honored to have had the opportunity to serve our country under difficult circumstances. We are profoundly grateful to our Commander-in-Chief and to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeremiah-denton/we-are-honored-to-have-had-the-opportunity-to-serve-our-country-under/) [Jeremiah Denton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeremiah-denton/) > [Founded on faith in God, the United States has been blessed as no other nation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeremiah-denton/founded-on-faith-in-god-the-united-states-has-been-blessed-as-no/) [Jeremiah Denton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeremiah-denton/) > [My principal battle with the North Vietnamese was a moral one, and prayer was my prime source of strength.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeremiah-denton/my-principal-battle-with-the-north-vietnamese-was-a-moral-one-and/) [Jeremiah Denton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeremiah-denton/) > [While the Japanese droned on in a high-pitched voice, I blinked out the desperate message over and over. TORTURE...TORTURE...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeremiah-denton/while-the-japanese-droned-on-in-a-high-pitched-voice-i-blinked-out/) [Jeremiah Denton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeremiah-denton/) > [The Declaration of Independence has established certain moral confines, and governs in a manner consistent with the spirit under which our nation was founded:…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeremiah-denton/the-declaration-of-independence-has-established-certain-moral/) [Jeremiah Denton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeremiah-denton/) [Explore all 11 Jeremiah Denton quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeremiah-denton/) ## More Attitude quotes > [“WE CAN'T ALWAYS CONTROL OUR CIRCUMSTANCES BUT WE CAN CONTROL OUR ATTITUDE. WE MUST BE MORE CONCERNED WITH WHAT WE DO WITH WHAT HAPPENS…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marvin-j-ashton/we-can-t-always-control-our-circumstances-but-we-can-control-our/) [MARVIN J. ASHTON](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marvin-j-ashton/) > [It's not the method, it's the mindset.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-gilbert/it-s-not-the-method-it-s-the-mindset/) [Andy Gilbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-gilbert/) > [The vision of the left, full of envy and resentment, takes its worst toll on those at the bottom - whether black or white…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-sowell/the-vision-of-the-left-full-of-envy-and-resentment-takes-its-worst/) [Thomas Sowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-sowell/) > [Changes before your eyes, things you can do and things you can't. My attitude is always let it keep rolling.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terrence-malick/changes-before-your-eyes-things-you-can-do-and-things-you-can-t-my/) [Terrence Malick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terrence-malick/) > [Vow to be valiant. Resolve to be radiant. Determine to be dynamic. Strive to be sincere. Aspire to be attuned.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-arthur-ward/vow-to-be-valiant-resolve-to-be-radiant-determine-to-be-dynamic/) [William Arthur Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-arthur-ward/) > [Don't judge me because I'm stupid. Don't judge me because I'm, mean. Don't judge me because I'm weird. Don't judge me for mistakes. Because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isaiah-harden-me/don-t-judge-me-because-i-m-stupid-don-t-judge-me-because-i-m-mean-don/) Isaiah Harden (Me > [Your feelings (mood) dictate your thought, your thought determines your attitude (reactions) and your attitude describes your lifestyle, so: be careful how you feel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheye-hassan/your-feelings-mood-dictate-your-thought-your-thought-determines-your/) Sheye Hassan > [Success will come when the societal attitude changes and not a single woman in America asks herself the question 'What did I do?'.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-biden/success-will-come-when-the-societal-attitude-changes-and-not-a-single/) [Joe Biden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-biden/) > [“Good Seeds! Gratitude is the Greatest Attitude that has no Substitute.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernard-kelvin-clive/good-seeds-gratitude-is-the-greatest-attitude-that-has-no-substitute/) [Bernard Kelvin Clive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernard-kelvin-clive/) > [Jeff Chu's pilgrimage across America to discover his own place as a gay man in the Christian church as well as attitudes about being…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donna-freitas/jeff-chu-s-pilgrimage-across-america-to-discover-his-own-place-as-a/) [Donna Freitas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donna-freitas/) > [One genuine reason to feel jealous of my parents:-) I will never ever have a kid as awesome as their's...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/one-genuine-reason-to-feel-jealous-of-my-parents-i-will-never-ever/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I'm optimistic Hong Kong will achieve universal suffrage - no matter the attitude of Beijing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua-wong/i-m-optimistic-hong-kong-will-achieve-universal-suffrage-no-matter/) [Joshua Wong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-wong/) > [My attitude it that you don't give in.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-taylor/my-attitude-it-that-you-don-t-give-in/) [Phil Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-taylor/) > [Transparency pertains to impartial behavior, implies openness, communication, and accountability. Inculcate transparency in attitude and experience a life free of controversy and blame](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dr-anil-kr-sinha/transparency-pertains-to-impartial-behavior-implies-openness/) [Dr Anil Kr Sinha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dr-anil-kr-sinha/) > [And if the mind thinks with a believing attitude one can do amazing things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-vincent-peale/and-if-the-mind-thinks-with-a-believing-attitude-one-can-do-amazing/) [Norman Vincent Peale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-vincent-peale/) [Browse all 9,543 Attitude quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/attitude/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The family is the engine that drives civilization. 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