Accepted Quote by Lewis Mumford
“Everyone aimed at security: no one accepted responsibility. What was plainly lacking, long before the barbarian invasions had done their work, long before economic dislocations became serious, was inner go. Rome’s life was now an imitation of life: a mere holding on. Security was the watchword – as if life knew any other stability than through constant change, or any form of security except through a constant willingness to take risks”
About This Quote
Source Book: The City in History by Lewis Mumford, 1961
Societies prioritize safety over responsibility, leading to stagnation; true vitality requires risk‑taking.
In simple terms: Security without responsibility stalls progress; risk fuels growth.
Key Takeaway
Embrace risk to avoid stagnation.
Themes
security
responsibility
risk
civilization
Mood
critical
analytical
Type
historical
observational
When to use this quote
- policy making
- organizational leadership
- personal decision‑making
- community building
Key Concepts
social dynamics
historical cycles
urban development
Questions to Reflect On
- What risks are you avoiding for safety?
- How can responsibility be balanced with security?
A Different Perspective
Excessive focus on security can create fear and inhibit innovation.
![“We have reached a situation where a theory has been accepted as fact by some, and possible contrary evidence is shunted aside. [This is] mythology rather than science.” quote by Robert Shapiro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/c31/robert-shapiro-26969_accepted_we-have-reached-a-situation-where-a-theo_19120.jpg)
