--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Historically, if you look at great…" description: "\"Historically, if you look at great civilizations, why do they crumble? Is it because of what's outside or because of something internal? It's always in..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/af0/phylicia-rashad-16928_civilization_historically-if-you-look-at-great-civili_887976.png" --- # Historically, if you look at great civilizations, why do… ![“Historically, if you look at great civilizations, why do they crumble? Is it because of what's outside or because of something internal? It's always internal. It is.” quote by Phylicia Rashad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/af0/phylicia-rashad-16928_civilization_historically-if-you-look-at-great-civili_887976.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/af0/phylicia-rashad-16928_civilization_historically-if-you-look-at-great-civili_887976.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/af0/phylicia-rashad-16928_civilization_historically-if-you-look-at-great-civili_887976.png) > “Historically, if you look at great civilizations, why do they crumble? Is it because of what's outside or because of something internal? It's always internal. It is.” [Phylicia Rashad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phylicia-rashad/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Civilizations fall because of internal decay more not external threats; internal flaws erode stability. **In simple terms:** Internal problems cause collapse. Key Takeaway Address internal issues early. Themes history society decline Mood reflective concerned Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - government policy - community health - education reform Key Concepts political decay cultural erosion Questions to Reflect On - What internal weaknesses exist in modern societies? - How can we strengthen internal resilience? A Different Perspective External pressures can also accelerate decline if internal issues are ignored. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Civilization](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/civilization/) [Civilizations](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/civilizations/) [Civilizations Crumble](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/civilizations-crumble-1116748/) [Crumble](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/crumble/) [Crumble Outside](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/crumble-outside-1116749/) [Great Civilizations](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/great-civilizations-924284/) [Internals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/internals/) [Looks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/looks/) ## Related quotes > [From the failure of the humanist tradition to participate fully or to act decisively, civilizations may perhaps crumble or perish at the hands of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-kronenberger/from-the-failure-of-the-humanist-tradition-to-participate-fully-or-to/) [Louis Kronenberger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-kronenberger/) > [We are like ignorant shepherds living on a site where great civilizations once flourished. 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