---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When cities were first founded, an old…"
description: "\"When cities were first founded, an old Egyptian scribe tells us, the mission of the founder was to 'put gods in their shrines.' The task of the coming ..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7d2/lewis-mumford-2870_activity_when-cities-were-first-founded-an-old-eg_233775.png"
---

#  When cities were first founded, an old Egyptian scribe…

![“When cities were first founded, an old Egyptian scribe tells us, the mission of the founder was to 'put gods in their shrines.' The task of the coming city is not essentially different: its mission is to put the highest concerns of man at the center of all his activities.” quote by Lewis Mumford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7d2/lewis-mumford-2870_activity_when-cities-were-first-founded-an-old-eg_233775.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7d2/lewis-mumford-2870_activity_when-cities-were-first-founded-an-old-eg_233775.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7d2/lewis-mumford-2870_activity_when-cities-were-first-founded-an-old-eg_233775.png)

> “When cities were first founded, an old Egyptian scribe tells us, the mission of the founder was to 'put gods in their shrines.' The task of the coming city is not essentially different: its mission is to put the highest concerns of man at the center of all his activities.”

[Lewis Mumford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-mumford/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Early city founders placed gods at the center; modern cities should place humanity’s highest concerns at the core of all activities.

**In simple terms:** Cities should prioritize human values.

Key Takeaway

Design urban life around humanity’s greatest needs.

Themes

urban planning values humanism civic purpose

Mood

reflective visionary

Type

philosophical inspirational

When to use this quote

- municipal policy
- community projects
- public spaces
- education initiatives

Key Concepts

public good ethical design

Questions to Reflect On

- What are the highest concerns that should guide city planning?
- How can citizens influence urban priorities?

A Different Perspective

Economic growth often dominates, sidelining higher concerns.

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[Cities](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cities/) [City](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/city/) [Egyptian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/egyptian/) [Founders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/founders/) [Goals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/goals/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Missions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/missions/) [Shrines](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shrines/)

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