Abandon Quote by Luc de Clapiers
“As soon as an opinion becomes common it is sufficient reason for men to abandon it and to uphold the opposite opinion until that in its turn grows old, and they require to distinguish themselves by other things. Thus if they attain their goal in some art or science, we must expect them soon to cast it aside to acquire some fresh fame, and this is partly the reason why the most splendid ages degenerate so quickly, and, scarcely emerged from barbarism, plunge into it again.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: On the Fickleness of Public Opinion, 1765
Public opinion shifts quickly, leading to abandonment of ideas and pursuit of novelty, causing rapid cultural decline.
In simple terms: Ideas are abandoned as trends change, causing decay.
Key Takeaway
Value enduring ideas over fleeting trends.
Themes
culture
fickleness
innovation
Mood
critical
historical
Type
analytical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- academic discourse
- media cycles
- fashion trends
Key Concepts
sociology
philosophy
history
Questions to Reflect On
- How can societies preserve valuable ideas?
- What drives the cycle of abandoning the old?
A Different Perspective
Novelty may undermine depth.
