Art Quote by Roger Zelazny
“There's no such thing as civilization. The word just means the art of living in cities.”
About This Quote
Civilization is a construct, not an innate human condition; it merely describes organized urban life.
In simple terms: Urban organization as a cultural construct.
Key Takeaway
Cities shape, but do not define, humanity.
Themes
urbanism
culture
social constructs
civilization
human nature
Mood
thoughtful
critical
Type
aphorism
philosophical
When to use this quote
- studying urban sociology
- analyzing cultural narratives
- teaching history
Key Concepts
city planning
social organization
historical development
Practical Applications
- urban policy design
- cultural critique
Questions to Reflect On
- What defines a civilization beyond city life?
- How does urban living influence human values?
![“In its broad sense, civilization means not only comfort in daily necessities but also the refining of knowledge and the cultivation of virtue so as to elevate human life to a higher plane... It refers to the attainment of both material well-being and the elevation of the human spirit, [but] since…” quote by Fukuzawa Yukichi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/b23/fukuzawa-yukichi-22233_attainment_in-its-broad-sense-civilization-means-no_1507246.jpg)
