--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The ordinary man is the curse of…" description: "\"The ordinary man is the curse of civilization.\" — John Fowles" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3bc/john-fowles-816_civilization_the-ordinary-man-is-the-curse-of-civiliz_1511891.png" --- # The ordinary man is the curse of civilization. ![“The ordinary man is the curse of civilization.” quote by John Fowles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3bc/john-fowles-816_civilization_the-ordinary-man-is-the-curse-of-civiliz_1511891.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3bc/john-fowles-816_civilization_the-ordinary-man-is-the-curse-of-civiliz_1511891.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3bc/john-fowles-816_civilization_the-ordinary-man-is-the-curse-of-civiliz_1511891.png) > “The ordinary man is the curse of civilization.” [John Fowles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-fowles/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The ordinary person, by conforming, perpetuates societal flaws, implying that mediocrity hinders progress. **In simple terms:** Mediocre people harm society. Key Takeaway Challenge the status quo. Themes society conformity critique Mood critical thoughtful Type philosophical social When to use this quote - politics - workplace culture - education - media Key Concepts civilization human nature Questions to Reflect On - How does mediocrity affect change? - What responsibilities do we have? A Different Perspective Not all ordinary people are harmful. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Civilization](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/civilization/) [Culture](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/culture/) [Curse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/curse/) [Curse Civilization](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/curse-civilization-5567678/) [Man Curse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/man-curse-1209721/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Ordinary](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ordinary/) [Ordinary man](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ordinary-man/) ## Related quotes > [“He makes me change, he makes me want to dance round him, bewilder him, dazzle him, dumbfound him. 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