--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I don't think we're crumbling as a…" description: "\"I don't think we're crumbling as a civilization, but this is not our finest hour, and it's good to be mindful that we're all susceptible to fall and to..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6a0/mel-gibson-2804_civilization_i-don-t-think-we-re-crumbling-as-a-civil_700960.jpg" --- # I don't think we're crumbling as a civilization, but this… ![“I don't think we're crumbling as a civilization, but this is not our finest hour, and it's good to be mindful that we're all susceptible to fall and to look at what are the earmarks of a civilization on the wane. What are they - destruction of the environment? Conspicuous consumption? Heard of…” quote by Mel Gibson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6a0/mel-gibson-2804_civilization_i-don-t-think-we-re-crumbling-as-a-civil_700960.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6a0/mel-gibson-2804_civilization_i-don-t-think-we-re-crumbling-as-a-civil_700960.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6a0/mel-gibson-2804_civilization_i-don-t-think-we-re-crumbling-as-a-civil_700960.jpg) > “I don't think we're crumbling as a civilization, but this is not our finest hour, and it's good to be mindful that we're all susceptible to fall and to look at what are the earmarks of a civilization on the wane. What are they - destruction of the environment? Conspicuous consumption? Heard of those?” [Mel Gibson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mel-gibson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The speaker warns that civilization is not at its peak, noting environmental destruction and conspicuous consumption as signs of decline, urging mindfulness of our vulnerabilities. **In simple terms:** Society shows signs of decline like environmental damage and wasteful habits. Key Takeaway Stay aware of societal weaknesses. Themes civilization environment consumerism vulnerability decline Mood concerned urgent Type motivational reflective When to use this quote - policy making - personal lifestyle choices - education - community planning Key Concepts Sociology environmental ethics Questions to Reflect On - What actions can reverse these trends? - How can individuals influence societal change? A Different Perspective Complex issues cannot be solved by awareness alone. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Civilization](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/civilization/) [Civilization Wane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/civilization-wane-5549298/) [Conspicuous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conspicuous/) [Conspicuous consumption](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conspicuous-consumption/) [Consumption](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/consumption/) [Crumbling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/crumbling/) [Crumbling Civilization](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/crumbling-civilization-5549296/) [Destruction](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/destruction/) [Earmarks Civilization](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/earmarks-civilization-5549297/) [Environment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/environment/) [Fall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fall/) [Finest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/finest/) [Good](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/good/) [Heard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/heard/) [Hour](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hour/) [Look](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/look/) [Mindful](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mindful/) [Our](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/our/) [Susceptible](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/susceptible/) [Think](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/think/) [Think Crumbling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/think-crumbling-5549299/) [Those](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/those/) ## Related quotes > [I just don't like conspicuous consumption. I find it distasteful.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-gunn/i-just-don-t-like-conspicuous-consumption-i-find-it-distasteful/) [Tim Gunn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-gunn/) > [Status-driven, conspicuous consumption thrives from the language of novelty.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-jackson/status-driven-conspicuous-consumption-thrives-from-the-language-of/) [Tim Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-jackson/) > [I never strike out at any life form. The only things I attack are icons of conspicuous consumption. People put objects in front of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wendy-o-williams/i-never-strike-out-at-any-life-form-the-only-things-i-attack-are/) [Wendy O. Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wendy-o-williams/) > [Technology loves and thrives and makes gobs of money on conspicuous consumption.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-goulston/technology-loves-and-thrives-and-makes-gobs-of-money-on-conspicuous/) [Mark Goulston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-goulston/) > [“I knew Sebastian by sight long before I met him. That was unavoidable for, from his first week, he was the most conspicuous man…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evelyn-waugh/i-knew-sebastian-by-sight-long-before-i-met-him-that-was-unavoidable/) [Evelyn Waugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evelyn-waugh/) > [Inconspicuous virtue brings conspicuous reward.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/senora-roy/inconspicuous-virtue-brings-conspicuous-reward/) [Senora Roy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/senora-roy/) > [“I felt as conspicuous as a baby whale in a goldfish pond.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-king/i-felt-as-conspicuous-as-a-baby-whale-in-a-goldfish-pond/) [Stephen King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-king/) > [Where consumption is both conspicuous and competitive, humanity will never run out of new wishes. All the while, industry creates new desires that are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-buchan/where-consumption-is-both-conspicuous-and-competitive-humanity-will/) [James Buchan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-buchan/) > [Fame legitimizes. Being conspicuous gets confused with being illustrious.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nina-easton/fame-legitimizes-being-conspicuous-gets-confused-with-being/) [Nina Easton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nina-easton/) > [Conspicuous by his absence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tacitus/conspicuous-by-his-absence/) [Tacitus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tacitus/) > [“He had never known how exhausting it was to be conspicuous.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-ko/he-had-never-known-how-exhausting-it-was-to-be-conspicuous/) [Lisa Ko](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-ko/) > [Nothing is more conspicuous than a farting princess.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-vance/nothing-is-more-conspicuous-than-a-farting-princess/) [Jack Vance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-vance/) > [Was it my conspicuousness that distressed me? Not at all. It was merely that I was not beautifully conspicuous but uglily conspicuous - it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-twain/was-it-my-conspicuousness-that-distressed-me-not-at-all-it-was-merely/) [Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-twain/) > [This point seems counter-intuitive, given the amount of conspicuous vulgarity, vice, and immorality in America. Indeed some Islamic fundamentalists argue that their regimes are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dinesh-d-souza/this-point-seems-counter-intuitive-given-the-amount-of-conspicuous/) [Dinesh D'Souza](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dinesh-d-souza/) > [Every young woman should dress well, that is, neatly, tastefully, modestly, whether she be rich or poor. Conspicuous dressing is vulgar. True refinement avoids…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-r-miller/every-young-woman-should-dress-well-that-is-neatly-tastefully/) [J.R. Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-r-miller/) ## More by Mel Gibson > [You know what happens when you don't take a risk? Nothing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mel-gibson/you-know-what-happens-when-you-don-t-take-a-risk-nothing/) [Mel Gibson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mel-gibson/) > [“After about 20 years of marriage, I think I'm finally starting to scratch the surface of what women want. And I think the answer…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mel-gibson/after-about-20-years-of-marriage-i-think-i-m-finally-starting-to/) [Mel Gibson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mel-gibson/) > [The pop culture has become more frenetic. There are more forces at work that are far more invasive. However, I think it would be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mel-gibson/the-pop-culture-has-become-more-frenetic-there-are-more-forces-at/) [Mel Gibson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mel-gibson/) > [It's all happening too fast. I've got to put the brakes on or I'll smack into something.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mel-gibson/it-s-all-happening-too-fast-i-ve-got-to-put-the-brakes-on-or-i-ll/) [Mel Gibson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mel-gibson/) > [I had a female business partner once. Didn't work.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mel-gibson/i-had-a-female-business-partner-once-didn-t-work/) [Mel Gibson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mel-gibson/) > [It's great that after 700 years William Wallace has finally had a proper burial. He did so much for the country. You should be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mel-gibson/it-s-great-that-after-700-years-william-wallace-has-finally-had-a/) [Mel Gibson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mel-gibson/) > [When you get to that point where you don't want to live, and you don't want to die, it's a desperate, horrible place to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mel-gibson/when-you-get-to-that-point-where-you-don-t-want-to-live-and-you-don-t/) [Mel Gibson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mel-gibson/) > [I'm always writing. There is always a story brewing in my head.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mel-gibson/i-m-always-writing-there-is-always-a-story-brewing-in-my-head/) [Mel Gibson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mel-gibson/) > [There is no excuse, nor should there be any tolerance, for anyone who thinks or expresses any kind of anti-Semitic remark. I want to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mel-gibson/there-is-no-excuse-nor-should-there-be-any-tolerance-for-anyone-who/) [Mel Gibson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mel-gibson/) > [I got the acting bug back because I felt like all of a sudden maybe after all these years, maybe I might have something…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mel-gibson/i-got-the-acting-bug-back-because-i-felt-like-all-of-a-sudden-maybe/) [Mel Gibson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mel-gibson/) > [Well, if you look at the whole story, I mean there's only Jews and Romans in the story. I mean I just wanted to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mel-gibson/well-if-you-look-at-the-whole-story-i-mean-there-s-only-jews-and/) [Mel Gibson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mel-gibson/) > [My dad taught me my faith, and I believe what he taught me. The man never lied to me in his life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mel-gibson/my-dad-taught-me-my-faith-and-i-believe-what-he-taught-me-the-man/) [Mel Gibson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mel-gibson/) > [The guy who's in charge isn't going to be the front man, ever.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mel-gibson/the-guy-who-s-in-charge-isn-t-going-to-be-the-front-man-ever/) [Mel Gibson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mel-gibson/) > [I tell you what really turns my toes up: love scenes with 68-year-old men and actresses young enough to be their granddaughter.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mel-gibson/i-tell-you-what-really-turns-my-toes-up-love-scenes-with-68-year-old/) [Mel Gibson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mel-gibson/) > [I was spiritually bankrupt, and when that happens, it's like a spiritual cancer afflicts you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mel-gibson/i-was-spiritually-bankrupt-and-when-that-happens-it-s-like-a/) [Mel Gibson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mel-gibson/) [Explore all 149 Mel Gibson quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mel-gibson/) ## More Civilization quotes > [What sets worlds in motion is the interplay of differences, their attractions and repulsions. Life is plurality, death is uniformity. By suppressing differences and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/octavio-paz/what-sets-worlds-in-motion-is-the-interplay-of-differences-their/) [Octavio Paz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/octavio-paz/) > [Sentiment is the mightiest force in civilization; not sentimentality, but sentiment. Women will bring this into politics. Home, sweet home, is as powerful on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-ellen-foster/sentiment-is-the-mightiest-force-in-civilization-not-sentimentality/) [Judith Ellen Foster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-ellen-foster/) > [Violence is not necessary to destroy a civilization. Each civilization dies from indifference toward the unique values which created it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicolas-gomez-davila/violence-is-not-necessary-to-destroy-a-civilization-each-civilization/) [Nicolas Gomez Davila](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicolas-gomez-davila/) > [“The voice in the head that never stops speaking becomes a civilization that is obsessed with form and therefore knows nothing of the most…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eckhart-tolle/the-voice-in-the-head-that-never-stops-speaking-becomes-a/) [Eckhart Tolle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eckhart-tolle/) > [We released 400,000 classified documents, the most extraordinary history of a war to ever have been released in our civilization. Those documents cover 109,000…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julian-assange/we-released-400-000-classified-documents-the-most-extraordinary/) [Julian Assange](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julian-assange/) > [Wine is one of the most civilized things in the world and one of the most natural things of the world that has been…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-hemingway/wine-is-one-of-the-most-civilized-things-in-the-world-and-one-of-the/) [Ernest Hemingway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-hemingway/) > [Whenever we touch nature we get clean. People who have got dirty through too much civilization take a walk in the woods, or a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-jung/whenever-we-touch-nature-we-get-clean-people-who-have-got-dirty/) [Carl Jung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-jung/) > [The invention of gunpowder and the constant improvement of firearms are enough in themselves to show that the advance of civilization has done nothing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-von-clausewitz/the-invention-of-gunpowder-and-the-constant-improvement-of-firearms/) [Carl von Clausewitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-von-clausewitz/) > [Another success is the post-office, with its educating energy augmented by cheapness and guarded by a certain religious sentimentin mankind; so that the power…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/another-success-is-the-post-office-with-its-educating-energy/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [“The mission is, not to replace old world mindlessness with new world mindlessness, but to put an end to all forms of brainless authoritarianism.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abhijit-naskar/the-mission-is-not-to-replace-old-world-mindlessness-with-new-world/) [Abhijit Naskar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abhijit-naskar/) > [We are somehow the children of the planet, we are somehow its finest hour; we bind time, we bind the past, we anticipate the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terence-mckenna/we-are-somehow-the-children-of-the-planet-we-are-somehow-its-finest/) [Terence McKenna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terence-mckenna/) > [Our civilization, bequeathed to us by fierce adventurers, eaters of meat and hunters, is so full of hurry and combat, so busy about many…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-joyce/our-civilization-bequeathed-to-us-by-fierce-adventurers-eaters-of/) [James Joyce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-joyce/) > [Coal lay in ledges under the ground since the Flood, until a laborer with pick and windlass brings it to the surface. We may…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/coal-lay-in-ledges-under-the-ground-since-the-flood-until-a-laborer/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [Once we allow ourselves to be disobedient to the test of an accountant's profit, we have begun to change our civilization.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-maynard-keynes/once-we-allow-ourselves-to-be-disobedient-to-the-test-of-an/) [John Maynard Keynes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-maynard-keynes/) > [Our laws and our institutions must necessarily be based upon and embody the teachings of the Redeemer of mankind. It is impossible that it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-josiah-brewer/our-laws-and-our-institutions-must-necessarily-be-based-upon-and/) [David Josiah Brewer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-josiah-brewer/) [Browse all 4,084 Civilization quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/civilization/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I don't think we're crumbling as a civilization, but this is not our finest hour, and it's good to be mindful that we're all susceptible to fall and to look at what are the earmarks of a civilization on the wane. What are they - destruction of the environment? Conspicuous consumption? 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