--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The future of humanity is uncertain, even…" description: "\"The future of humanity is uncertain, even in the most prosperous countries, and the quality of life deteriorates; and yet I believe that what is being ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/921/primo-levi-2751_barbarism_the-future-of-humanity-is-uncertain-even_2422389.jpg" --- # The future of humanity is uncertain, even in the most… ![“The future of humanity is uncertain, even in the most prosperous countries, and the quality of life deteriorates; and yet I believe that what is being discovered about the infinitely large and infinitely small is sufficient to absolve this end of the century and millennium. What a very few are…” quote by Primo Levi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/921/primo-levi-2751_barbarism_the-future-of-humanity-is-uncertain-even_2422389.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/921/primo-levi-2751_barbarism_the-future-of-humanity-is-uncertain-even_2422389.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/921/primo-levi-2751_barbarism_the-future-of-humanity-is-uncertain-even_2422389.jpg) > “The future of humanity is uncertain, even in the most prosperous countries, and the quality of life deteriorates; and yet I believe that what is being discovered about the infinitely large and infinitely small is sufficient to absolve this end of the century and millennium. What a very few are acquiring in knowledge of the physical world will perhaps cause this period not to be judged as a pure return of barbarism.” [Primo Levi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/primo-levi/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The quote suggests that scientific insight into the vast and minute realms can counteract societal decline and prevent a regression to barbarism. **In simple terms:** Science may prevent cultural decay. Key Takeaway Seek deeper scientific understanding. Themes science progress civilization knowledge decay Mood reflective concerned Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - education reform - policy making - public outreach - research funding Key Concepts cosmology quantum physics philosophy of science Questions to Reflect On - How can scientific knowledge be made accessible to all? - What societal changes accompany scientific progress? A Different Perspective Scientific breakthroughs alone may not address underlying social inequities. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Barbarism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/barbarism/) [Country](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/country/) [Humanity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humanity/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Millennium](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/millennium/) [Nature of man](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nature-of-man/) [Prosperous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/prosperous/) [Quality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/quality/) [Quality of life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/quality-of-life/) [Science](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/science/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) [World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world/) ## Related quotes > [When I was born in 1942, World War II was still going. And I began to realize when I became a young adult that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/graham-nash/when-i-was-born-in-1942-world-war-ii-was-still-going-and-i-began-to/) [Graham Nash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/graham-nash/) > [When we look at the sky, we see two things: The beauty of the space and the future of the humanity!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mehmet-murat-ildan/when-we-look-at-the-sky-we-see-two-things-the-beauty-of-the-space-and/) [Mehmet Murat Ildan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mehmet-murat-ildan/) > [I believe that the future of humanity is in the progress of reason through science. I believe that the pursuit of truth, through science,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mile-zola/i-believe-that-the-future-of-humanity-is-in-the-progress-of-reason/) [Emile Zola](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mile-zola/) > [No amount of outer technology, no amount of computers and biotechnology and nanotechnology is going to stop the continuation of warfare and racism and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kornfield/no-amount-of-outer-technology-no-amount-of-computers-and/) [Jack Kornfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kornfield/) > [“When Page describes Google reshaping the future of humanity, this isn’t simply a description of the convenience it provides; what it aims to redirect…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklin-foer/when-page-describes-google-reshaping-the-future-of-humanity-this-isn/) [Franklin Foer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklin-foer/) > [I will never apologize for saying that the future of humanity and the future of the world is going to be defined by what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/i-will-never-apologize-for-saying-that-the-future-of-humanity-and-the/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [There's a fundamental difference, if you look into the future, between a humanity that is a space-faring civilisation, that's out there exploring the stars…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/there-s-a-fundamental-difference-if-you-look-into-the-future-between/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [It's unrealistic to think that the future of humanity can be achieved only on the basis of prayer; what we need is to take…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/it-s-unrealistic-to-think-that-the-future-of-humanity-can-be-achieved/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) > [The health of our seas determines the future of humanity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-winton/the-health-of-our-seas-determines-the-future-of-humanity/) [Tim Winton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-winton/) > [What are we doing down here? We prepare the blossoms of tomorrow. We all manure future humanity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leo-errera/what-are-we-doing-down-here-we-prepare-the-blossoms-of-tomorrow-we/) [Leo Errera](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leo-errera/) > [“ If the future of humanity truly depends on our children...then let's do our best to protect and better our future each and everyday.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-pina/if-the-future-of-humanity-truly-depends-on-our-children-then-let-s-do/) [Timothy Pina](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-pina/) > [Today the human race is a single twig on the tree of life, a single species on a single planet. Our condition can thus…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-zubrin/today-the-human-race-is-a-single-twig-on-the-tree-of-life-a-single/) [Robert Zubrin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-zubrin/) > [When you think about what Homo sapiens are about, you almost feel that we are replacing ourselves. We won't be able to breathe and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/irvine-welsh/when-you-think-about-what-homo-sapiens-are-about-you-almost-feel-that/) [Irvine Welsh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/irvine-welsh/) > [Today we understand that the future of humanity very much depends on our planet, and that the future of the planet very much depends…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/today-we-understand-that-the-future-of-humanity-very-much-depends-on/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) > [Going from PayPal, I thought: 'Well, what are some of the other problems that are likely to most affect the future of humanity?' Not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elon-musk/going-from-paypal-i-thought-well-what-are-some-of-the-other-problems/) [Elon Musk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elon-musk/) ## More by Primo Levi > [I too entered the Lager as a nonbeliever, and as a nonbeliever I was liberated and have lived to this day.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/primo-levi/i-too-entered-the-lager-as-a-nonbeliever-and-as-a-nonbeliever-i-was/) [Primo Levi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/primo-levi/) > [Man is a centaur, a tangle of flesh and mind, divine inspiration and dust.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/primo-levi/man-is-a-centaur-a-tangle-of-flesh-and-mind-divine-inspiration-and/) [Primo Levi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/primo-levi/) > [Our ignorance allowed us to live, as you are in the mountains, and your rope is frayed and about to break, but you don't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/primo-levi/our-ignorance-allowed-us-to-live-as-you-are-in-the-mountains-and-your/) [Primo Levi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/primo-levi/) > [“Válka, to je hlavně velký zmatek, na poli i v lidských hlavách: často člověk ani nechápe, kdo vlastně vítězí a kdo prohrává, o tom…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/primo-levi/v-lka-to-je-hlavn-velk-zmatek-na-poli-i-v-lidsk-ch-hlav-ch-asto-lov-k/) [Primo Levi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/primo-levi/) > [“An extreme case of the distortion of the memory of a committed guilty act is found in its suppression. Here, too, the borderline between…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/primo-levi/an-extreme-case-of-the-distortion-of-the-memory-of-a-committed-guilty/) [Primo Levi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/primo-levi/) > [“It was the shame we knew so well, the shame that drowned us after the selections, and every time we had to watch, or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/primo-levi/it-was-the-shame-we-knew-so-well-the-shame-that-drowned-us-after-the/) [Primo Levi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/primo-levi/) > [An enemy who sees the error of his ways ceases to be an enemy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/primo-levi/an-enemy-who-sees-the-error-of-his-ways-ceases-to-be-an-enemy/) [Primo Levi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/primo-levi/) > [“Willingly or not we come to terms with power, forgetting that we are all in the ghetto, that the ghetto is walled in, that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/primo-levi/willingly-or-not-we-come-to-terms-with-power-forgetting-that-we-are/) [Primo Levi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/primo-levi/) > [Nothing can be said: nothing sure, nothing probable, nothing honest. Better to err through omission than through commission: better to refrain from steering the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/primo-levi/nothing-can-be-said-nothing-sure-nothing-probable-nothing-honest/) [Primo Levi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/primo-levi/) > [“We were also born," Line said abruptly. Mendel questioned her with a look, and Line tried to clarify her thought: "Born, expelled. Russia conceived…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/primo-levi/we-were-also-born-line-said-abruptly-mendel-questioned-her-with-a/) [Primo Levi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/primo-levi/) > [“They are the typical product of the structure of the German Lager: if one offers a position of privilege to a few individuals in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/primo-levi/they-are-the-typical-product-of-the-structure-of-the-german-lager-if/) [Primo Levi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/primo-levi/) > [Anyone who has obeyed nature by transmitting a piece of gossip experiences the explosive relief that accompanies the satisfying of a primary need.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/primo-levi/anyone-who-has-obeyed-nature-by-transmitting-a-piece-of-gossip/) [Primo Levi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/primo-levi/) > [I beg the reader not to go in search of messages. It is a term that I detest because it distresses me greatly, for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/primo-levi/i-beg-the-reader-not-to-go-in-search-of-messages-it-is-a-term-that-i/) [Primo Levi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/primo-levi/) > [“One of them declared: 'Doing this work, one either goes crazy the first day or gets accustomed to it.' Another, though: 'Certainly I could…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/primo-levi/one-of-them-declared-doing-this-work-one-either-goes-crazy-the-first/) [Primo Levi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/primo-levi/) > [For me chemistry represented an indefinite cloud of future potentialities which enveloped my life to come in black volutes torn by fiery flashes, like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/primo-levi/for-me-chemistry-represented-an-indefinite-cloud-of-future/) [Primo Levi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/primo-levi/) [Explore all 130 Primo Levi quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/primo-levi/) ## More Barbarism quotes > [ That country \[Carthage\] was rapidly sinking into the state of barbarism from whence it had been raised by the Phoenician colonies and Roman laws;… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-gibbon/that-country-carthage-was-rapidly-sinking-into-the-state-of-barbarism/) [Edward Gibbon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-gibbon/) > [Liberty is the condition of progress. Without Liberty, there remains only barbarism. Without Liberty, there can be no civilization.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-green-ingersoll/liberty-is-the-condition-of-progress-without-liberty-there-remains/) [Robert Green Ingersoll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-green-ingersoll/) > [“Odd, don't you think? I have seen war, and invasions and riots. I have heard of massacres and brutalities beyond imagining, and I have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/iain-pears/odd-don-t-you-think-i-have-seen-war-and-invasions-and-riots-i-have/) [Iain Pears](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/iain-pears/) > [Christianity has carried civilization along with it, whithersoever it has gone; and, as if to show that the latter does not depend on physical…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/augustus-william-hare/christianity-has-carried-civilization-along-with-it-whithersoever-it/) [Augustus William Hare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/augustus-william-hare/) > [ \[Much\] as war attracts me and fascinates my mind with its tremendous situations, I feel more deeply every year . . . what vile… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winston-churchill/much-as-war-attracts-me-and-fascinates-my-mind-with-its-tremendous/) [Winston Churchill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winston-churchill/) > [Educational exchange can turn nations into people, contributing as no other form of communication can to the humanizing of international relations. Man's capacity for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-william-fulbright/educational-exchange-can-turn-nations-into-people-contributing-as-no/) [J. William Fulbright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-william-fulbright/) > [Human history, like all great movements, was cyclical, and returned to the point of beginning. The idea of indefinite progress in a right line…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-bellamy/human-history-like-all-great-movements-was-cyclical-and-returned-to/) [Edward Bellamy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-bellamy/) > [You think that a wall as solid as the earth separates civilization from barbarism. I tell you the division is a thread, a sheet…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-buchan/you-think-that-a-wall-as-solid-as-the-earth-separates-civilization/) [John Buchan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-buchan/) > [Barbarism is the absence of standards to which appeal can be made.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jose-ortega-y-gasset/barbarism-is-the-absence-of-standards-to-which-appeal-can-be-made/) [Jose Ortega y Gasset](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jose-ortega-y-gasset/) > [“The language of sword is less powerful than the language of word, but most of the people understand the language of sword with greater…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kedar-joshi/the-language-of-sword-is-less-powerful-than-the-language-of-word-but/) [Kedar Joshi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kedar-joshi/) > [There is so much that must be done in a civilized barbarism like war.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amelia-earhart/there-is-so-much-that-must-be-done-in-a-civilized-barbarism-like-war/) [Amelia Earhart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amelia-earhart/) > [There is a barbarism in the American soul, and we must protect some of it by law. To root it out is to endanger…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-pierce/there-is-a-barbarism-in-the-american-soul-and-we-must-protect-some-of/) [Charlie Pierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-pierce/) > [In discussing Barbarism and Christianity I have actually been discussing the Fall of Rome.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-gibbon/in-discussing-barbarism-and-christianity-i-have-actually-been/) [Edward Gibbon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-gibbon/) > [What we now want is closer contact and better understanding between individuals and communities all over the earth, and the elimination of egoism and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikola-tesla/what-we-now-want-is-closer-contact-and-better-understanding-between/) [Nikola Tesla](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikola-tesla/) > [“Magic begins in superstition, and ends in science. ... At every step the history of civilization teaches us how slight and superficial a structure…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-durant/magic-begins-in-superstition-and-ends-in-science-at-every-step-the/) [Will Durant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-durant/) [Browse all 238 Barbarism quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/barbarism/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The future of humanity is uncertain, even in the most prosperous countries, and the quality of life deteriorates; and yet I believe that what is being discovered about the infinitely large and infinitely small is sufficient to absolve this end of the century and millennium. 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