America Quote by Oscar Wilde

America may be unique in being a country which has leapt from barbarism to decadence without touching civilization.

— John O'Hara

“America is the only civilization in history which miraculously has gone directly from barbarism to degeneration without the usual interval of civilization”

— Georges Clemenceau

The ultimate tendency of civilization is towards barbarism.

— David Hare

Barbarism recommences by the excess of civilization.

— Alphonse de Lamartine

The age in which we live can only be characterized as one of barbarism. Our civilization is in the process not only of being…

— Alva Myrdal

Barbarism is needed every four or five hundred years to bring the world back to life. Otherwise it would die of civilization.

— Edmond de Goncourt

“Civilization is a horizon which we can approach, while barbarity is a background from which we seek to move away; neither condition can be…

— Tzvetan Todorov

The most civilized people are as near to barbarism as the most polished steel is to rust. Nations, like metals, have only a superficial…

— Antoine Rivarol

From barbarism to civilization requires a century; from civilization to barbarism needs but a day.

— Will Durant

Everyone gives the title of barbarism to everything that is not in use in his own country.

— Michel de Montaigne

Barbarism is the natural state of mankind,

— Robert E. Howard

The twentieth century has exhibited a barbarism and lack of respect for human life on a massive scale just about unknown before

— Ron Silver