Barbarism Quote by Jules Amedee Barbey d'Aurevilly
“The crimes of extreme civilization are probably worse than those of extreme barbarism, because of their refinement, the corruption they presuppose, and their superior degree of intellectuality.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: Les Diaboliques, 1874
Refined societies can commit more insidious harms than crude ones due to sophisticated corruption and intellectual justification.
In simple terms: Civilized cruelty can be more dangerous than barbaric violence.
Key Takeaway
Beware hidden corruption in advanced cultures.
Themes
civilization
corruption
morality
intellectualism
Mood
critical
thoughtful
Type
analytical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- political analysis
- organizational ethics
- historical study
- media criticism
Key Concepts
ethical decay
power structures
social critique
Questions to Reflect On
- How does sophistication mask moral decay?
- What safeguards can detect refined corruption?
A Different Perspective
Even refined societies may lack self‑awareness of their own moral failings.
![“[Much] as war attracts me and fascinates my mind with its tremendous situations, I feel more deeply every year . . . what vile and wicked folly and barbarism it all is.” quote by Winston Churchill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/e15/winston-churchill-95_barbarism_much-as-war-attracts-me-and-fascinates-m_68452.jpg)
![“That country [Carthage] was rapidly sinking into the state of barbarism from whence it had been raised by the Phoenician colonies and Roman laws; and every step of intestine discord was marked by some deplorable victory of savage man over civilized society.” quote by Edward Gibbon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/70c/edward-gibbon-710_barbarism_that-country-carthage-was-rapidly-sinkin_393.jpg)
