--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: What was civilization ever, really, but…" description: "\"“What was civilization ever, really, but the attempt by man to talk himself into being good?”\" — Stanisław Lem" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c73/stanis-aw-lem-7489_civilization_what-was-civilization-ever-really-but-th_1493528.jpg" --- # What was civilization ever, really, but the attempt by man… ![“What was civilization ever, really, but the attempt by man to talk himself into being good?” quote by Stanisław Lem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c73/stanis-aw-lem-7489_civilization_what-was-civilization-ever-really-but-th_1493528.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c73/stanis-aw-lem-7489_civilization_what-was-civilization-ever-really-but-th_1493528.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c73/stanis-aw-lem-7489_civilization_what-was-civilization-ever-really-but-th_1493528.jpg) > ““What was civilization ever, really, but the attempt by man to talk himself into being good?”” [Stanisław Lem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stanis-aw-lem/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Civilization is an ongoing effort for humans to shape moral behavior through culture and narrative. **In simple terms:** Civilization tries to make us good. Key Takeaway Cultivate ethical reflection in society. Themes culture morality civilization Mood thoughtful inquisitive Type philosophical literary When to use this quote - education - policy making - media storytelling - community building Key Concepts philosophy social construct human nature Questions to Reflect On - What role does storytelling play in ethics? - Can societies be truly good? A Different Perspective Moral progress is not guaranteed by civilization alone. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Attempt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/attempt/) [Attempt Man](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/attempt-man-1455524/) [Civilization](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/civilization/) [Civilization Really](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/civilization-really-1586056/) [Culture](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/culture/) [Futurology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/futurology-69735/) [Moral philosophy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/moral-philosophy/) [Really Attempt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/really-attempt-5460966/) ## Related quotes > [This made me reflect, how vain an attempt it is for a man to endeavor to do himself honor among those who are out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-swift/this-made-me-reflect-how-vain-an-attempt-it-is-for-a-man-to-endeavor/) [Jonathan Swift](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-swift/) > [“We owe our liberation to chemistry," he went on. 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We have named all the stars and all the planets, even though they might already have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stanis-aw-lem/it-might-hear-us-but-what-s-its-name-we-have-named-all-the-stars-and/) [Stanisław Lem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stanis-aw-lem/) > [“We came here as we truly are, and when the other side shows us that truth—the part of it we pass over in silence—we’re…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stanis-aw-lem/we-came-here-as-we-truly-are-and-when-the-other-side-shows-us-that/) [Stanisław Lem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stanis-aw-lem/) > [“It's true that even though I'm a world unto myself, I've just a speck of dust in the avalanche of events. But nothing will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stanis-aw-lem/it-s-true-that-even-though-i-m-a-world-unto-myself-i-ve-just-a-speck/) [Stanisław Lem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stanis-aw-lem/) > [“maybe he fought it off and forgot about it, and he wasn’t afraid, because he knew he’d never carry it out. 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