--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Our forefathers regarded as a prodigy the…" description: "\"Our forefathers regarded as a prodigy the passage of the Alps: first by Hannibal and, more recently, by the Cimbri; but at the present day, these very ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/818/pliny-the-elder-2838_day_our-forefathers-regarded-as-a-prodigy-th_885775.png" --- # Our forefathers regarded as a prodigy the passage of the… ![“Our forefathers regarded as a prodigy the passage of the Alps: first by Hannibal and, more recently, by the Cimbri; but at the present day, these very mountains are cut asunder to yield us a thousand different marbles; promontories are thrown open to the sea; and the face of Nature is being…” quote by Pliny the Elder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/818/pliny-the-elder-2838_day_our-forefathers-regarded-as-a-prodigy-th_885775.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/818/pliny-the-elder-2838_day_our-forefathers-regarded-as-a-prodigy-th_885775.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/818/pliny-the-elder-2838_day_our-forefathers-regarded-as-a-prodigy-th_885775.png) > “Our forefathers regarded as a prodigy the passage of the Alps: first by Hannibal and, more recently, by the Cimbri; but at the present day, these very mountains are cut asunder to yield us a thousand different marbles; promontories are thrown open to the sea; and the face of Nature is being everywhere reduced to a level.” [Pliny the Elder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pliny-the-elder/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Human activity is flattening natural landscapes, turning mountains into resources and coasts into open sea. **In simple terms:** Nature is being leveled by civilization. Key Takeaway Recognize environmental impact. Themes environment human impact change Mood concerned serious Type philosophical critical When to use this quote - deforestation - mountain mining - coastal development - resource extraction Key Concepts exploitation industrialization urbanization Questions to Reflect On - What are the long‑term consequences? - Can development be balanced with preservation? A Different Perspective Progress often ignores ecological costs. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Day](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/day/) [Forefathers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/forefathers/) [Nature](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nature/) [Present day](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/present-day/) [Sea](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sea/) ## Related quotes > [“If Shakespeare be considered as a MAN born in a rude age and educated in the lowest manner, without any instruction either from the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-hume/if-shakespeare-be-considered-as-a-man-born-in-a-rude-age-and-educated/) [David Hume](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-hume/) > [The musicians, Duke Ellington, his thing was not about separating himself from the rest of America. 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