--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: At the sight of the city utterly…" description: "\"“At the sight of the city utterly perishing amidst the flames Scipio burst into tears, and stood long reflecting on the inevitable change which awaits ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a96/polybius-21895_quote_at-the-sight-of-the-city-utterly-perishi_1424086.jpg" --- # At the sight of the city utterly perishing amidst the… ![“At the sight of the city utterly perishing amidst the flames Scipio burst into tears, and stood long reflecting on the inevitable change which awaits cities, nations, and dynasties, one and all, as it does every one of us men. This, he thought, had befallen Ilium, once a powerful city, and the…” quote by Polybius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a96/polybius-21895_quote_at-the-sight-of-the-city-utterly-perishi_1424086.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a96/polybius-21895_quote_at-the-sight-of-the-city-utterly-perishi_1424086.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a96/polybius-21895_quote_at-the-sight-of-the-city-utterly-perishi_1424086.jpg) > ““At the sight of the city utterly perishing amidst the flames Scipio burst into tears, and stood long reflecting on the inevitable change which awaits cities, nations, and dynasties, one and all, as it does every one of us men. This, he thought, had befallen Ilium, once a powerful city, and the once mighty empires of the Assyrians, Medes, Persians, and that of Macedonia lately so splendid. And unintentionally or purposely he quoted---the words perhaps escaping him unconsciously--- "The day shall be when holy Troy shall fall And Priam, lord of spears, and Priam's folk." And on my asking him boldly (for I had been his tutor) what he meant by these words, he did not name Rome distinctly, but was evidently fearing for her, from this sight of the mutability of human affairs. . . . Another still more remarkable saying of his I may record. . . \[When he had given the order for firing the town\] he immediately turned round and grasped me by the hand and said: "O Polybius, it is a grand thing, but, I know not how, I feel a terror and dread, lest some one should one day give the same order about my own native city.”” [Polybius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/polybius/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Scipio reflects on the inevitable rise and fall of great powers, fearing that his own city may share that fate. **In simple terms:** Great cities fall; even the powerful are vulnerable. Key Takeaway Recognize impermanence and act wisely. Themes impermanence power history fear reflection Mood somber contemplative Type historical philosophical When to use this quote - military leadership - urban planning - political strategy - personal anxiety - legacy planning Key Concepts historical analysis philosophical insight Questions to Reflect On - How does awareness of decline shape your decisions? - What can be done to protect what you value? A Different Perspective Scipio’s fear may overlook resilience and renewal possibilities. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Inevitable change](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inevitable-change/) ## Related quotes > [“When a man ain't got no ideas of his own," said Scipio, "he'd ought to be kind o' careful who he borrows 'em from.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/owen-wister/when-a-man-ain-t-got-no-ideas-of-his-own-said-scipio-he-d-ought-to-be/) [Owen Wister](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/owen-wister/) > [“My dear Scipio and Laelius. Men, of course, who have no resources in themselves for securing a good and happy life find every age…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cicero/my-dear-scipio-and-laelius-men-of-course-who-have-no-resources-in/) [Cicero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cicero/) > [“Scholars postulate that the only thing that does not change is the every varying world. Other renowned thinkers postulate that the natural state of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kilroy-j-oldster/scholars-postulate-that-the-only-thing-that-does-not-change-is-the/) [Kilroy J. Oldster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kilroy-j-oldster/) > [See the inevitable changes not as threats but as opportunities that can deepen our understanding and bring us wisdom and growth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-l-taylor/see-the-inevitable-changes-not-as-threats-but-as-opportunities-that/) [Susan L. Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-l-taylor/) > [“It is change, continuing change, inevitable change, that is the dominant factor in society today. No sensible decision can be made any longer without…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isaac-asimov/it-is-change-continuing-change-inevitable-change-that-is-the-dominant/) [Isaac Asimov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isaac-asimov/) > [Change is inevitable. Whether that change is in the form of growth or decay is up to us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/change-is-inevitable-whether-that-change-is-in-the-form-of-growth-or/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [If we rail and kick against it and grow bitter, we won't change the inevitable; but we will change ourselves. I know. 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Fired with evil passions, they are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/polybius/the-common-people-feel-themselves-oppressed-by-the-grasping-of-some/) [Polybius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/polybius/) > [The government will take the fairest of names, but the worst of realities--mob rule.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/polybius/the-government-will-take-the-fairest-of-names-but-the-worst-of/) [Polybius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/polybius/) > [Nor ought we ever to allow any growing power to acquire such a degree of strength as to be able to tear from us,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/polybius/nor-ought-we-ever-to-allow-any-growing-power-to-acquire-such-a-degree/) [Polybius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/polybius/) > [From this I conclude that the best education for the situations of actual life consists of the experience we acquire from the study of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/polybius/from-this-i-conclude-that-the-best-education-for-the-situations-of/) [Polybius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/polybius/) > [Monarchy degenerates into tyranny, aristocracy into oligarchy, and democracy into savage violence and chaos.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/polybius/monarchy-degenerates-into-tyranny-aristocracy-into-oligarchy-and/) [Polybius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/polybius/) > [Knowing how to win is the first step. We must also know how to make use of our victories.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/polybius/knowing-how-to-win-is-the-first-step-we-must-also-know-how-to-make/) [Polybius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/polybius/) > [When the ancients said a work well begun was half done, they meant to impress the importance of always endeavoring to make a good…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/polybius/when-the-ancients-said-a-work-well-begun-was-half-done-they-meant-to/) [Polybius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/polybius/) > [“They want the centurions not so much to be venturesome and daredevils, as to be natural leaders, of a steady and reliable spirit. They…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/polybius/they-want-the-centurions-not-so-much-to-be-venturesome-and-daredevils/) [Polybius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/polybius/) > [ \[There can be no\] rational administration of government when good men are held in the same esteem as bad ones. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/polybius/there-can-be-no-rational-administration-of-government-when-good-men/) [Polybius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/polybius/) > [Those who know how to win are much more numerous than those who know how to make proper use of their victories.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/polybius/those-who-know-how-to-win-are-much-more-numerous-than-those-who-know/) [Polybius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/polybius/) > [How highly should we honor the Macedonians, who for the greater part of their lives never cease from fighting with the barbarians for the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/polybius/how-highly-should-we-honor-the-macedonians-who-for-the-greater-part/) [Polybius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/polybius/) > [For peace, with justice and honor, is the fairest and most profitable of possessions, but with disgrace and shameful cowardice, it is the most…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/polybius/for-peace-with-justice-and-honor-is-the-fairest-and-most-profitable/) [Polybius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/polybius/) > [For the mob, habituated to feed at the expense of others, and to have its hopes of a livelihood in the property of its…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/polybius/for-the-mob-habituated-to-feed-at-the-expense-of-others-and-to-have/) [Polybius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/polybius/) [Explore all 28 Polybius quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/polybius/) ## More Inevitable change quotes > [“Sometimes when we go through transitions, we aren’t aware of the impact they have on us. Stress, doubt, and even depression commonly result from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-vujicic/sometimes-when-we-go-through-transitions-we-aren-t-aware-of-the/) [Nick Vujicic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-vujicic/) > [“…such moments of social upset and great inevitable change usually throw up just such men, unbalanced and incomplete, to turn things inside out or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andri-ivo/such-moments-of-social-upset-and-great-inevitable-change-usually/) Andrić, Ivo > [I went through a period of first successes. Then there was the inevitable change: the bad newspaper articles. Some people don't care about that,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/audrey-hepburn/i-went-through-a-period-of-first-successes-then-there-was-the/) [Audrey Hepburn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/audrey-hepburn/) > [If we choose an external marker as the measure of our inner worth, whether it is the amount of money we make, or others'…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/if-we-choose-an-external-marker-as-the-measure-of-our-inner-worth/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) > [I am convinced that in the upcoming chapter of the struggle, I can be more useful to the inevitable change that will soon come…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lincoln-diaz-balart/i-am-convinced-that-in-the-upcoming-chapter-of-the-struggle-i-can-be/) [Lincoln Diaz-Balart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lincoln-diaz-balart/) > [It's not always about survival, this life we are given; it's usually so much easier than that. It's about trusting the eternal life force…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-lesser/it-s-not-always-about-survival-this-life-we-are-given-it-s-usually-so/) [Elizabeth Lesser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-lesser/) > [Slow or fast, change is inevitable & sometimes change comes with terrifying speed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/slow-or-fast-change-is-inevitable-sometimes-change-comes-with/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Where progress is desire, change is Inevitable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-ashimolowo/where-progress-is-desire-change-is-inevitable/) [Matthew Ashimolowo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-ashimolowo/) > [If we rail and kick against it and grow bitter, we won't change the inevitable; but we will change ourselves. I know. I have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dale-carnegie/if-we-rail-and-kick-against-it-and-grow-bitter-we-won-t-change-the/) [Dale Carnegie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dale-carnegie/) > [Change is inevitable. Whether that change is in the form of growth or decay is up to us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/change-is-inevitable-whether-that-change-is-in-the-form-of-growth-or/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“It is change, continuing change, inevitable change, that is the dominant factor in society today. No sensible decision can be made any longer without…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isaac-asimov/it-is-change-continuing-change-inevitable-change-that-is-the-dominant/) [Isaac Asimov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isaac-asimov/) > [See the inevitable changes not as threats but as opportunities that can deepen our understanding and bring us wisdom and growth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-l-taylor/see-the-inevitable-changes-not-as-threats-but-as-opportunities-that/) [Susan L. Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-l-taylor/) > [“Scholars postulate that the only thing that does not change is the every varying world. Other renowned thinkers postulate that the natural state of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kilroy-j-oldster/scholars-postulate-that-the-only-thing-that-does-not-change-is-the/) [Kilroy J. Oldster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kilroy-j-oldster/) > [On our planet, all objects are subject to continual and inevitable changes which arise from the essential order of things. These changes take place…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-baptiste-lamarck/on-our-planet-all-objects-are-subject-to-continual-and-inevitable/) [Jean-Baptiste Lamarck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-baptiste-lamarck/) > [“Perhaps I—should I choose to become a leader—should do whatever is necessary to see that old men such as yourself, men who refuse to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryk-brown/perhaps-i-should-i-choose-to-become-a-leader-should-do-whatever-is/) [Ryk Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryk-brown/) [Browse all 30 Inevitable change quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inevitable-change/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“At the sight of the city utterly perishing amidst the flames Scipio burst into tears, and stood long reflecting on the inevitable change which awaits cities, nations, and dynasties, one and all, as it does every one of us men. This, he thought, had befallen Ilium, once a powerful city, and the once mighty empires of the Assyrians, Medes, Persians, and that of Macedonia lately so splendid. And unintentionally or purposely he quoted---the words perhaps escaping him unconsciously--- \"The day shall be when holy Troy shall fall And Priam, lord of spears, and Priam's folk.\" And on my asking him boldly (for I had been his tutor) what he meant by these words, he did not name Rome distinctly, but was evidently fearing for her, from this sight of the mutability of human affairs. . . . Another still more remarkable saying of his I may record. . . [When he had given the order for firing the town] he immediately turned round and grasped me by the hand and said: \"O Polybius, it is a grand thing, but, I know not how, I feel a terror and dread, lest some one should one day give the same order about my own native city.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Polybius" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/polybius/at-the-sight-of-the-city-utterly-perishing-amidst-the-flames-scipio/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Inevitable change" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/polybius/at-the-sight-of-the-city-utterly-perishing-amidst-the-flames-scipio/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a96/polybius-21895_quote_at-the-sight-of-the-city-utterly-perishi_1424086.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a96/polybius-21895_quote_at-the-sight-of-the-city-utterly-perishi_1424086.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a96/polybius-21895_quote_at-the-sight-of-the-city-utterly-perishi_1424086.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“At the sight of the city utterly perishing amidst the flames Scipio burst into tears, and stood long…” — Polybius", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Polybius", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/polybius/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“At the sight of the city...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/polybius/at-the-sight-of-the-city-utterly-perishing-amidst-the-flames-scipio/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/polybius/at-the-sight-of-the-city-utterly-perishing-amidst-the-flames-scipio/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```