--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: In fact man's career has been less like a…" description: "\"In fact man's career has been less like a mountain torrent hurtling from rock to rock, than a great sluggish river, broken very seldom by rapids.\" — Ol..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/426/olaf-stapledon-9950_broken_in-fact-man-s-career-has-been-less-like_116001.jpg" --- # In fact man's career has been less like a mountain torrent… ![“In fact man's career has been less like a mountain torrent hurtling from rock to rock, than a great sluggish river, broken very seldom by rapids.” quote by Olaf Stapledon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/426/olaf-stapledon-9950_broken_in-fact-man-s-career-has-been-less-like_116001.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/426/olaf-stapledon-9950_broken_in-fact-man-s-career-has-been-less-like_116001.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/426/olaf-stapledon-9950_broken_in-fact-man-s-career-has-been-less-like_116001.jpg) > “In fact man's career has been less like a mountain torrent hurtling from rock to rock, than a great sluggish river, broken very seldom by rapids.” [Olaf Stapledon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/olaf-stapledon/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Human progress resembles a slow river, occasionally interrupted by brief, intense bursts of rapid change. **In simple terms:** History flows slowly, with occasional rapid changes. Key Takeaway Societal change is generally gradual, punctuated by rapid events. Themes history change progress Mood thoughtful analytical Type reflective philosophical When to use this quote - technological revolutions - social movements - economic crises Key Concepts long‑term dynamics Practical Applications - plan for gradual development while preparing for rapid shifts - recognize early signs of upcoming rapids Questions to Reflect On - What modern events are today's rapids? - How can societies navigate sudden change? 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Desire.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bobby-unser/desire-that-s-the-one-secret-of-every-man-s-career-not-education-not/) [Bobby Unser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bobby-unser/) > [You will find in me a middle aged man with a career behind me sufficiently brilliant to enable me to talk about many things…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-a-moore/you-will-find-in-me-a-middle-aged-man-with-a-career-behind-me/) [George A. 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