Army Quote by Lewis H. Lapham
“But the line of thought that I'd been chasing for several days was implicit in the ruins of the old Roman Empire, which gradually destroyed itself by substituting the faith in a legion of miraculous words for the strength of armies and the weight of walls.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: "The End of the World as We Know It" by Lewis H. Lapham, 1995
The quote warns that societies can erode when they replace tangible power—military and infrastructure—with empty rhetoric and belief in miraculous language.
In simple terms: Relying on words instead of real strength leads to decay.
Key Takeaway
Prioritize concrete action over lofty talk.
Themes
civilization
power
language
decay
Mood
cautious
reflective
Type
critical
historical
When to use this quote
- political discourse
- military planning
- cultural analysis
- policy making
Key Concepts
imperialism
ideology
symbolic power
Questions to Reflect On
- How do we balance rhetoric with practical strength?
- When does symbolic language become harmful?
A Different Perspective
Words alone cannot sustain a civilization without material support.
![“[Roman] society became steadily more cosmopolitan. By 212 A.D., all inhabitants of the empire, except for slaves, were deemed to be citizens. The old Roman aristocracy was not fixated upon race and color. Wealth and literacy were what opened the doors of their urban mansions and country villas.” quote by Norman F. Cantor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/9b0/norman-f-cantor-15048_aristocracy_roman-society-became-steadily-more-cosmo_2570105.jpg)
![“[For American consumer society], the country's reserves of ignorance constitute a natural resource as precious as the Mississippi River or the long-lost herds of buffalo.” quote by Lewis H. Lapham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/6b0/lewis-h-lapham-7190_buffalo_for-american-consumer-society-the-countr_157122.jpg)
![“I can't imagine that I would be asked that by the president-elect [Donald Trump], or then-president [Barack Obama]. But it's - I'm very clear. I voted for the change that put the Army Field Manual in place as a member of Congress. I understand that law very, very quickly and am also deeply aware…” quote by James Mattis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/761/james-mattis-9515_army_i-can-t-imagine-that-i-would-be-asked-th_3990.jpg)
