--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: What appears to be the established order…" description: "\"What appears to be the established order of present-day civilization is actually only the inert but spectacular momentum of a high velocity vehicle who..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/13c/jose-arguelles-48828_civilization_what-appears-to-be-the-established-order_1765398.jpg" --- # What appears to be the established order of present-day… ![“What appears to be the established order of present-day civilization is actually only the inert but spectacular momentum of a high velocity vehicle whose engine has already stopped functioning.” quote by Jose Arguelles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/13c/jose-arguelles-48828_civilization_what-appears-to-be-the-established-order_1765398.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/13c/jose-arguelles-48828_civilization_what-appears-to-be-the-established-order_1765398.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/13c/jose-arguelles-48828_civilization_what-appears-to-be-the-established-order_1765398.jpg) > “What appears to be the established order of present-day civilization is actually only the inert but spectacular momentum of a high velocity vehicle whose engine has already stopped functioning.” [Jose Arguelles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jose-arguelles/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Civilization’s current structure is merely the lingering inertia of a once‑driven system whose power source has failed. **In simple terms:** Society keeps moving on empty momentum. Key Takeaway Recognize and address the underlying loss of purpose. Themes society inertia purpose change Mood reflective critical Type analytical philosophical When to use this quote - urban planning - personal fulfillment - organizational restructuring - policy reform Key Concepts systems theory cultural decay energy metaphor Questions to Reflect On - What core motivations have been lost? - How can we reignite the engine of purpose? A Different Perspective Momentum alone cannot sustain progress without a functioning engine. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Civilization](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/civilization/) [Growth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/growth/) [Momentum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/momentum/) [Order](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/order/) [Present day](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/present-day/) [Velocity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/velocity/) ## Related quotes > [I use high velocity to keep hitters off balance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justin-verlander/i-use-high-velocity-to-keep-hitters-off-balance/) [Justin Verlander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justin-verlander/) > [“But of course we don't notice the descent until we're rocketing along at high velocity.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-koontz/but-of-course-we-don-t-notice-the-descent-until-we-re-rocketing-along/) [Dean Koontz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-koontz/) > [We have seen and do see the type of evil that is within human civilization, and the Holocaust took place in European history during…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laszlo-nemes/we-have-seen-and-do-see-the-type-of-evil-that-is-within-human/) [Laszlo Nemes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laszlo-nemes/) > [India is a civilization with a history that is thousands of years old.The diversity of India, of our civilization, is actually a thing of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/narendra-modi/india-is-a-civilization-with-a-history-that-is-thousands-of-years-old/) [Narendra Modi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/narendra-modi/) > [The diversity of India, of our civilization, is actually a thing of beauty, which is something we are extremely proud of.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/narendra-modi/the-diversity-of-india-of-our-civilization-is-actually-a-thing-of/) [Narendra Modi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/narendra-modi/) > [The history of civilization could actually be written in terms of the level of its women.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fulton-j-sheen/the-history-of-civilization-could-actually-be-written-in-terms-of-the/) [Fulton J. 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