--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Civilization was like a mad dash that…" description: "\"“Civilization was like a mad dash that lasted fie thousand years. Progress begot more progress; countless miracles gave birth to more miracles; humanki..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/eaf/liu-cixin-4142_civilization_civilization-was-like-a-mad-dash-that-la_2564639.jpg" --- # Civilization was like a mad dash that lasted fie thousand… ![“Civilization was like a mad dash that lasted fie thousand years. Progress begot more progress; countless miracles gave birth to more miracles; humankind seemed to possess the power of gods; but in the end, the real power was wielded by time.” quote by Liu Cixin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/eaf/liu-cixin-4142_civilization_civilization-was-like-a-mad-dash-that-la_2564639.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/eaf/liu-cixin-4142_civilization_civilization-was-like-a-mad-dash-that-la_2564639.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/eaf/liu-cixin-4142_civilization_civilization-was-like-a-mad-dash-that-la_2564639.jpg) > ““Civilization was like a mad dash that lasted fie thousand years. Progress begot more progress; countless miracles gave birth to more miracles; humankind seemed to possess the power of gods; but in the end, the real power was wielded by time.”” [Liu Cixin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liu-cixin/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Human civilization’s rapid advances create ever‑greater capabilities, yet ultimately time determines lasting impact. **In simple terms:** Progress builds on itself, but time is the ultimate ruler. Key Takeaway Respect time’s power over fleeting achievements. Themes progress time humanity impermanence Mood reflective philosophical Type analytical inspirational When to use this quote - career planning - long‑term projects - legacy building - historical analysis Key Concepts cosmology historical cycles technological acceleration Questions to Reflect On - How do you balance ambition with humility? - What lasting impact do you want beyond your lifetime? A Different Perspective Time can render even the greatest achievements obsolete. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Civilization](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/civilization/) [Humankind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humankind/) [Progress](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/progress/) [Real power](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/real-power/) [Thousand years](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thousand-years/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) ## Related quotes > [“Suppose two thousand years ago, or even earlier, humanity learned that an alien invasion fleet would arrive a few thousand years later. 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It is a means of combining the intelligence of many to achieve ongoing group adaptation.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/civilization-is-to-groups-what-intelligence-is-to-individuals-it-is-a-2/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Civilization is like a thin layer of ice upon a deep ocean of chaos and darkness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/werner-herzog/civilization-is-like-a-thin-layer-of-ice-upon-a-deep-ocean-of-chaos/) [Werner Herzog](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/werner-herzog/) > [More and more I come to value charity and love of one's fellow being above everything else...All our lauded technological progress-our very civilization-is like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/more-and-more-i-come-to-value-charity-and-love-of-one-s-fellow-being/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [“Civilization is like air or water. 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