--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: [Flaubert] didn’t just hate the railway…" description: "\"[Flaubert] didn’t just hate the railway as such; he hated the way it flattered people with the illusion of progress. What was the point of scientific a..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d0e/julian-barnes-522_flattered_flaubert-didn-t-just-hate-the-railway-as_2399076.png" --- # \[Flaubert\] didn’t just hate the railway as such; he hated… ![“[Flaubert] didn’t just hate the railway as such; he hated the way it flattered people with the illusion of progress. What was the point of scientific advance without moral advance? The railway would merely permit more people to move about, meet and be stupid together.” quote by Julian Barnes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d0e/julian-barnes-522_flattered_flaubert-didn-t-just-hate-the-railway-as_2399076.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d0e/julian-barnes-522_flattered_flaubert-didn-t-just-hate-the-railway-as_2399076.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d0e/julian-barnes-522_flattered_flaubert-didn-t-just-hate-the-railway-as_2399076.png) > “\[Flaubert\] didn’t just hate the railway as such; he hated the way it flattered people with the illusion of progress. What was the point of scientific advance without moral advance? The railway would merely permit more people to move about, meet and be stupid together.” [Julian Barnes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julian-barnes/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Flaubert criticizes railways for creating a false sense of progress without moral development, leading people to mingle without substance. **In simple terms:** Railways give illusion of progress but lack moral growth. Key Takeaway Seek progress that includes ethical improvement. Themes progress morality technology illusion society Mood critical thoughtful Type philosophical analytical When to use this quote - urban planning - education reform - community building - public policy - personal reflection Key Concepts ethical development social critique technological impact Questions to Reflect On - How can we ensure technological advances also promote moral growth? - What responsibilities do innovators have toward society? A Different Perspective The quote may overgeneralize railways and ignore their positive societal benefits. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Hate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hate/) [Illusion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/illusion/) [Moral](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/moral/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Progress](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/progress/) [Railway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/railway/) [Technology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/technology/) ## Related quotes > [“What was the point of scientific advance without moral advance? The railway would merely permit more people to move about, meet and be stupid…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julian-barnes/what-was-the-point-of-scientific-advance-without-moral-advance-the/) [Julian Barnes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julian-barnes/) > [Intelligence may be taken as a necessary, but not sufficient, cause of moral advance. 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