---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: For the vast majority of mankind's…"
description: "\"For the vast majority of mankind's history, economic activity consisted of finding energy and using energy.\" — Li Lu"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bb4/li-lu-18293_climate_for-the-vast-majority-of-mankind-s-histo_2589891.jpg"
---

#  For the vast majority of mankind's history, economic…

![“For the vast majority of mankind's history, economic activity consisted of finding energy and using energy.” quote by Li Lu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bb4/li-lu-18293_climate_for-the-vast-majority-of-mankind-s-histo_2589891.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bb4/li-lu-18293_climate_for-the-vast-majority-of-mankind-s-histo_2589891.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bb4/li-lu-18293_climate_for-the-vast-majority-of-mankind-s-histo_2589891.jpg)

> “For the vast majority of mankind's history, economic activity consisted of finding energy and using energy.”

[Li Lu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/li-lu/)

## About This Quote

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

Human history is driven by the search for and exploitation of energy sources.

**In simple terms:** Energy pursuit shaped civilization.

Key Takeaway

Seek sustainable energy solutions.

Themes

history energy civilization

Mood

thoughtful analytical

Type

philosophical observational

When to use this quote

- industrial development
- personal energy use
- policy making
- education
- null

Key Concepts

Economics resource management

Questions to Reflect On

- How does energy availability shape societies?
- What sustainable alternatives can replace fossil fuels?

A Different Perspective

Energy scarcity can limit growth and cause conflict.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Climate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/climate/) [Economics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/economics/) [Energy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/energy/) [History](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/history/) [Mankind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mankind/)

## Related quotes

> [When I look at the many energy-using sectors - such as businesses, households, electricity generators, the transportation sector - I see that the business…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fatih-birol/when-i-look-at-the-many-energy-using-sectors-such-as-businesses/)

[Fatih Birol](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fatih-birol/)

> [I fear that the hearts of the vast majority of mankind would beat on strongly and steadily and without any quickening if the league…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-cabot-lodge/i-fear-that-the-hearts-of-the-vast-majority-of-mankind-would-beat-on/)

[Henry Cabot Lodge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-cabot-lodge/)

> [Today, in directly harnessing the power of the Sun, we're taking the energy that God gave us, the most renewable energy that we will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-carter/today-in-directly-harnessing-the-power-of-the-sun-we-re-taking-the/)

[Jimmy Carter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-carter/)

> [Compressed air can provide limitless amounts of clean energy using technology we have had for hundreds of years.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-mollison/compressed-air-can-provide-limitless-amounts-of-clean-energy-using/)

[Bill Mollison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-mollison/)

> [“If magic is energy, then using it is about guiding it's flow rather than possessing it and squirreling it away. Some people seem to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mhairi-simon/if-magic-is-energy-then-using-it-is-about-guiding-it-s-flow-rather/)

Mhairi Simon

> [Finland, and all the other European countries, we are too dependent on imported energy. We should be using a broader variety of energy resources.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tarja-halonen/finland-and-all-the-other-european-countries-we-are-too-dependent-on/)

[Tarja Halonen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tarja-halonen/)

> [“An important book for understanding the history of our economic boom &amp; bust cycles. It's an eye-opening account of how we are repeating the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thom-hartmann/an-important-book-for-understanding-the-history-of-our-economic-boom/)

[Thom Hartmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thom-hartmann/)

> [It is impossible to understand the history of economic thought if one does not pay attention to the fact that economics as such is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ludwig-von-mises/it-is-impossible-to-understand-the-history-of-economic-thought-if-one/)

[Ludwig von Mises](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ludwig-von-mises/)

> [The modern history of economic theory is a tale of evasions of reality.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-balogh-baron-balogh/the-modern-history-of-economic-theory-is-a-tale-of-evasions-of-reality/)

Thomas Balogh, Baron Balogh

> [There is no time in American history in which there was more economic conflict between segments of the population than there was prior to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/g-edward-griffin/there-is-no-time-in-american-history-in-which-there-was-more-economic/)

[G. Edward Griffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/g-edward-griffin/)

> [We are a people who have learned repeatedly throughout our history that economic distress can help us to appreciate that there are other ways…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/blase-j-cupich/we-are-a-people-who-have-learned-repeatedly-throughout-our-history/)

[Blase J. Cupich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/blase-j-cupich/)

> [“Although there are many differences between America and post–World War I Germany, history has some economic lessons to teach us. Remember that after World…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erwin-w-lutzer/although-there-are-many-differences-between-america-and-post-world/)

[Erwin W. Lutzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erwin-w-lutzer/)

> [The history of economic progress consists of charging a fee for what once was free.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/b-joseph-pine-ii/the-history-of-economic-progress-consists-of-charging-a-fee-for-what/)

[B. Joseph Pine II](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/b-joseph-pine-ii/)

> [“Most of the fundamental errors committed in economic analysis,” Joseph Schumpeter wrote in his History of Economic Analysis, “are due to lack of historical…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/most-of-the-fundamental-errors-committed-in-economic-analysis-joseph/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [If we learn anything from the history of economic development, it is that culture makes all the difference.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-landes/if-we-learn-anything-from-the-history-of-economic-development-it-is/)

[David Landes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-landes/)

## More by Li Lu

> [Everyone has blind spots, and even the brightest people are no exceptions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/li-lu/everyone-has-blind-spots-and-even-the-brightest-people-are-no/)

[Li Lu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/li-lu/)

> [Mao Zedong's way was to make people crazy. It was like a religious cult.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/li-lu/mao-zedong-s-way-was-to-make-people-crazy-it-was-like-a-religious-cult/)

[Li Lu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/li-lu/)

> [Without a free man, there is no free market. That's called exploitation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/li-lu/without-a-free-man-there-is-no-free-market-that-s-called-exploitation/)

[Li Lu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/li-lu/)

> [All companies incur expenses, some of which are fixed and bear no relation to sales volumes. In this way, profits can grow at a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/li-lu/all-companies-incur-expenses-some-of-which-are-fixed-and-bear-no/)

[Li Lu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/li-lu/)

> [I grew up in Communist China and never had much money to my name, and then, all of a sudden, I had giant student…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/li-lu/i-grew-up-in-communist-china-and-never-had-much-money-to-my-name-and/)

[Li Lu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/li-lu/)

> [A 'competence' that has no defined borders cannot be called a true competence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/li-lu/a-competence-that-has-no-defined-borders-cannot-be-called-a-true/)

[Li Lu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/li-lu/)

> [When I first came to Columbia University, I was dirt poor. I did not choose to come here - I just ended up here…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/li-lu/when-i-first-came-to-columbia-university-i-was-dirt-poor-i-did-not/)

[Li Lu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/li-lu/)

> [You can't imagine a free market coupled with a dictatorship.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/li-lu/you-can-t-imagine-a-free-market-coupled-with-a-dictatorship/)

[Li Lu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/li-lu/)

> [Tiananmen did not fail.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/li-lu/tiananmen-did-not-fail/)

[Li Lu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/li-lu/)

> [Part of the game of investing is to come into your own. You must find some way that perfectly fits your personality because there…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/li-lu/part-of-the-game-of-investing-is-to-come-into-your-own-you-must-find/)

[Li Lu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/li-lu/)

> [I was born and grew up in China during the 1960s.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/li-lu/i-was-born-and-grew-up-in-china-during-the-1960s/)

[Li Lu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/li-lu/)

> [Investing is about predicting the future, and the future is inherently unpredictable. Therefore, the only way you can do better is to assess all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/li-lu/investing-is-about-predicting-the-future-and-the-future-is-inherently/)

[Li Lu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/li-lu/)

> [In my 40s, the two cultures finally came to peace with one other inside me, and I have come to identify myself as both…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/li-lu/in-my-40s-the-two-cultures-finally-came-to-peace-with-one-other/)

[Li Lu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/li-lu/)

> [With free market and free man, if you remove one of them, it is not called capitalism in my dictionary.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/li-lu/with-free-market-and-free-man-if-you-remove-one-of-them-it-is-not/)

[Li Lu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/li-lu/)

> [Politically, China suppresses its people, but because the government allows some freedom in economic matters, business has become the ultimate expression of individuality.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/li-lu/politically-china-suppresses-its-people-but-because-the-government/)

[Li Lu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/li-lu/)

[Explore all 35 Li Lu quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/li-lu/)

## More Climate quotes

> [Irish research will contribute to global progress and have the potential to help all countries realise the potential of their land sectors in addressing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/enda-kenny/irish-research-will-contribute-to-global-progress-and-have-the/)

[Enda Kenny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/enda-kenny/)

> [In the current climate, things that are true, brave human stories become political.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cate-blanchett/in-the-current-climate-things-that-are-true-brave-human-stories/)

[Cate Blanchett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cate-blanchett/)

> [Windmills and solar cells are carbon-free sources of electricity. But they are costly. If you've been investing in those, give it up. That game…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenneth-fisher/windmills-and-solar-cells-are-carbon-free-sources-of-electricity-but/)

[Kenneth Fisher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenneth-fisher/)

> [Society understands the architecture of academia and knows there are relevant qualifications in different fields, and the media accepts the idea of specialisations and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-griffiths/society-understands-the-architecture-of-academia-and-knows-there-are/)

[Jay Griffiths](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-griffiths/)

> [There are many more traits that the climate deniers share with the creationists and Holocaust deniers and others who distort the truth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-r-prothero/there-are-many-more-traits-that-the-climate-deniers-share-with-the/)

[Donald R. Prothero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-r-prothero/)

> [Some would call me an environmentalist. I don't know why. I reuse the water that falls in my backyard in the winter. I reuse…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-begley-jr/some-would-call-me-an-environmentalist-i-don-t-know-why-i-reuse-the/)

[Ed Begley, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-begley-jr/)

> [I talk to fashion designers and say I want some money to save the rainforest, and they say, 'Oh, I agree with you completely…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vivienne-westwood/i-talk-to-fashion-designers-and-say-i-want-some-money-to-save-the/)

[Vivienne Westwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vivienne-westwood/)

> [Assuming normal winter weather, we currently anticipate the coal markets to remain difficult through 2015; while we always strive to operate a full capacity…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-craft/assuming-normal-winter-weather-we-currently-anticipate-the-coal/)

[Joe Craft](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-craft/)

> [Climate change poses clear, catastrophic threats. We may not agree on the extent, but we certainly can't afford the risk of inaction.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rupert-murdoch/climate-change-poses-clear-catastrophic-threats-we-may-not-agree-on/)

[Rupert Murdoch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rupert-murdoch/)

> [Fossil fuels, including oil, are running out and supplies are getting harder to find. If we do nothing, prices will continue to rise and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucy-powell/fossil-fuels-including-oil-are-running-out-and-supplies-are-getting/)

[Lucy Powell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucy-powell/)

> [Local and state governments have outrun the federal government. The EPA has served notice that it will enact a rule requiring CO2 reductions by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-gore/local-and-state-governments-have-outrun-the-federal-government-the/)

[Al Gore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-gore/)

> [I am sympathetic to developing countries’ concerns: because of our emissions it’s their crops that will disappear; because of our inaction, it’s their fields…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-f-kerry/i-am-sympathetic-to-developing-countries-concerns-because-of-our/)

[John F. Kerry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-f-kerry/)

> [We live in a state with a wonderful climate and plenty of natural beauty, from the shores of Cumberland Island to the Chattahoochee River…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roy-barnes/we-live-in-a-state-with-a-wonderful-climate-and-plenty-of-natural/)

[Roy Barnes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roy-barnes/)

> [Right now, the government is spending billions of dollars supporting the problem-makers in the U.S. economy - the polluters, despoilers, incarcerators, and warmongers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/van-jones/right-now-the-government-is-spending-billions-of-dollars-supporting/)

[Van Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/van-jones/)

> [All of the barriers to innovation in the energy sector are arguments for a big commitment to public investment. Only the public sector can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-nordhaus/all-of-the-barriers-to-innovation-in-the-energy-sector-are-arguments/)

[Ted Nordhaus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-nordhaus/)

[Browse all 8,549 Climate quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/climate/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "For the vast majority of mankind's history, economic activity consisted of finding energy and using energy.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Li Lu"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/li-lu/for-the-vast-majority-of-mankind-s-history-economic-activity/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Climate"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/li-lu/for-the-vast-majority-of-mankind-s-history-economic-activity/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bb4/li-lu-18293_climate_for-the-vast-majority-of-mankind-s-histo_2589891.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bb4/li-lu-18293_climate_for-the-vast-majority-of-mankind-s-histo_2589891.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bb4/li-lu-18293_climate_for-the-vast-majority-of-mankind-s-histo_2589891.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“For the vast majority of mankind's history, economic activity consisted of finding energy and using energy.” — Li Lu",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Li Lu",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/li-lu/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "For the vast majority of mankind's...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/li-lu/for-the-vast-majority-of-mankind-s-history-economic-activity/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/li-lu/for-the-vast-majority-of-mankind-s-history-economic-activity/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
