--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Sometimes Coriolanus wondered if the…" description: "\"“Sometimes Coriolanus wondered if the debris had been left there to remind the citizens of what they had endured. People had short memories. They neede..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/250/suzanne-collins-60_complacency_sometimes-coriolanus-wondered-if-the-deb_1541633.jpg" --- # Sometimes Coriolanus wondered if the debris had been left… ![“Sometimes Coriolanus wondered if the debris had been left there to remind the citizens of what they had endured. People had short memories. They needed to navigate the rubble, peel off the grubby ration coupons, and witness the Hunger Games to keep the war fresh in their minds. Forgetting could…” quote by Suzanne Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/250/suzanne-collins-60_complacency_sometimes-coriolanus-wondered-if-the-deb_1541633.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/250/suzanne-collins-60_complacency_sometimes-coriolanus-wondered-if-the-deb_1541633.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/250/suzanne-collins-60_complacency_sometimes-coriolanus-wondered-if-the-deb_1541633.jpg) > ““Sometimes Coriolanus wondered if the debris had been left there to remind the citizens of what they had endured. People had short memories. They needed to navigate the rubble, peel off the grubby ration coupons, and witness the Hunger Games to keep the war fresh in their minds. Forgetting could lead to complacency, and then they'd all be back at square one.”” [Suzanne Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-collins/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Reminding societies of past suffering prevents complacency and keeps vigilance alive. **In simple terms:** Remembering past hardships keeps people alert. Key Takeaway Preserve memory to avoid repeating mistakes. Themes memory vigilance history politics war complacency Mood reflective somber cautious Type philosophical political When to use this quote - education - public memorials - media coverage - political speeches Key Concepts collective trauma social control historical consciousness Questions to Reflect On - What mechanisms ensure memory serves growth not oppression? - How can societies balance remembrance with healing? A Different Perspective Memory can be manipulated to incite fear rather than constructive vigilance. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Citizens Endured](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/citizens-endured-1540722/) [Complacency](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/complacency/) [Coriolanus Wondered](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/coriolanus-wondered-5743005/) [Forgetting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/forgetting/) [Hunger Game](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hunger-game/) [Memories Needed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/memories-needed-5743007/) [Memory](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/memory/) [Minds Forgetting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/minds-forgetting-5743006/) [Painful](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/painful/) [Reminder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reminder/) [Waste](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/waste/) [Witness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/witness/) ## Related quotes > [Not only have our citizens endured domestic disaster, but they've lived through one international humiliation after another, one after another. We all remember the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-trump/not-only-have-our-citizens-endured-domestic-disaster-but-they-ve/) [Donald Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-trump/) > [The film opens up the world beyond Katniss' point of view, allowing the audience access to the happenings of places like the Hunger Games…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-collins/the-film-opens-up-the-world-beyond-katniss-point-of-view-allowing-the/) [Suzanne Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-collins/) > [In 'The Hunger Games,' in most people's idea, in terms of rebellion or a civil-war situation, that would meet the criteria for a necessary…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-collins/in-the-hunger-games-in-most-people-s-idea-in-terms-of-rebellion-or-a/) [Suzanne Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-collins/) > [“My name is Katniss Everdeen. I am seventeen years old. My home is District 12. There is no District 12. I am the Mockingjay.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-collins/my-name-is-katniss-everdeen-i-am-seventeen-years-old-my-home-is/) [Suzanne Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-collins/) > [Greeting to the final contestants of the Seventy-fourth Hunger Games. The earlier revision has been revoked. Closer examination of the rule book has disclosed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-collins/greeting-to-the-final-contestants-of-the-seventy-fourth-hunger-games/) [Suzanne Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-collins/) > [You and me Haymitch.Very cozy.Picnics, birthdays, long winter nights sitting around the fire retelling old Hunger Games tale. -Peeta Mellark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-collins/you-and-me-haymitch-very-cozy-picnics-birthdays-long-winter-nights/) [Suzanne Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-collins/) > [“Being older, I began to understand the lyrics. At the beginning, it sounds like a guy is trying to get his girlfriend to secretly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-collins/being-older-i-began-to-understand-the-lyrics-at-the-beginning-it/) [Suzanne Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-collins/) > [Both the 'Gregor' series and 'The Hunger Games' are what I call lightning-bolt ideas. There was a moment where the idea came to me.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-collins/both-the-gregor-series-and-the-hunger-games-are-what-i-call-lightning/) [Suzanne Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-collins/) > [Winning means fame and fortune. Losing means certain death. The Hunger Games have begun…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-collins/winning-means-fame-and-fortune-losing-means-certain-death-the-hunger/) [Suzanne Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-collins/) > [Let the Hunger Games Begin!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-collins/let-the-hunger-games-begin/) [Suzanne Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-collins/) > [I'm unaware that my feet are moving to the table until I'm inches from the holograph. My hand reaches in and cups a rapidly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-collins/i-m-unaware-that-my-feet-are-moving-to-the-table-until-i-m-inches/) [Suzanne Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-collins/) > [“A disturbing thought hits me,"but then our only neighbor would be Haymich!" "Ah, that'll be nice,"says Peeta, tightening his arms around me."You and me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-collins/a-disturbing-thought-hits-me-but-then-our-only-neighbor-would-be/) [Suzanne Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-collins/) > [“The headache’s coming on and my thoughts begin to tangle. I shut my eyes and start to recite silently. My name is Katniss Everdeen.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-collins/the-headache-s-coming-on-and-my-thoughts-begin-to-tangle-i-shut-my/) [Suzanne Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-collins/) > [“He made a point of complimenting Lysistrara's brilliant handling of the rabies situation and thanking her for her generosity in the last minutes of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-collins/he-made-a-point-of-complimenting-lysistrara-s-brilliant-handling-of/) [Suzanne Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-collins/) > [I know what blood poisoning is, Katniss," says Peeta. "Even if my mother isn't a healer." I'm jolted back in time, to another wound,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-collins/i-know-what-blood-poisoning-is-katniss-says-peeta-even-if-my-mother/) [Suzanne Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-collins/) ## More by Suzanne Collins > [It's amazing to see things that are suggested in the book fully developed and so brilliantly realized through the artistry of the designers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-collins/it-s-amazing-to-see-things-that-are-suggested-in-the-book-fully/) [Suzanne Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-collins/) > [KEEP CALM and HAVE A SUGAR CUBE](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-collins/keep-calm-and-have-a-sugar-cube/) [Suzanne Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-collins/) > [A furious Peeta hammers Haymitch with the atrocity he could become party to, but I can feel Haymitch watching me. This is the moment,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-collins/a-furious-peeta-hammers-haymitch-with-the-atrocity-he-could-become/) [Suzanne Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-collins/) > [“The same goes for the other captured tributes, Johanna and Enobaria.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-collins/the-same-goes-for-the-other-captured-tributes-johanna-and-enobaria/) [Suzanne Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-collins/) > [I don't know how to say it exactly. Only...I want to die as myself. Does that make any sense?' he asks. I shake my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-collins/i-don-t-know-how-to-say-it-exactly-only-i-want-to-die-as-myself-does/) [Suzanne Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-collins/) > [He never lets go of Annie's hand. Not when they walk, not when they eat. I doubt he ever plans to.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-collins/he-never-lets-go-of-annie-s-hand-not-when-they-walk-not-when-they-eat/) [Suzanne Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-collins/) > [“I want to interrupt the taping and beg Finnick’s forgiveness for every false thought I’ve ever had about him.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-collins/i-want-to-interrupt-the-taping-and-beg-finnick-s-forgiveness-for/) [Suzanne Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-collins/) > [I pound on the glass, screaming my head off. Everyone ignores me except for some Capitol attendant who appears behind me and offers me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-collins/i-pound-on-the-glass-screaming-my-head-off-everyone-ignores-me-except/) [Suzanne Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-collins/) > [Because it doesn't matter anymore, and because I'm so desperately lonely I can't stand it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-collins/because-it-doesn-t-matter-anymore-and-because-i-m-so-desperately/) [Suzanne Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-collins/) > [Then I dive into my tent before I do something stupid like cry.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-collins/then-i-dive-into-my-tent-before-i-do-something-stupid-like-cry/) [Suzanne Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-collins/) > [“¡Es que no quiero que me conozcan! ¡Ya me están quitando el futuro! ¡No pueden llevarse también lo que me importaba en el pasado!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-collins/es-que-no-quiero-que-me-conozcan-ya-me-est-n-quitando-el-futuro-no/) [Suzanne Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-collins/) > [“I act delighted, but I have zero interest in these Capitol people. They are only distractions from the food.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-collins/i-act-delighted-but-i-have-zero-interest-in-these-capitol-people-they/) [Suzanne Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-collins/) > [Mostly we just add to the piles of rainbow glass that's been blown off the exteriors of the cany-colored buildings.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-collins/mostly-we-just-add-to-the-piles-of-rainbow-glass-that-s-been-blown/) [Suzanne Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-collins/) > [You're punishing him over and over for things that are out of his control. Now, I'm not saying you shouldn't have a fully loaded…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-collins/you-re-punishing-him-over-and-over-for-things-that-are-out-of-his/) [Suzanne Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-collins/) > [“But the significant difference between Thirteen and the Capitol are the expectations of the populace. Thirteen was used to hardship, wheras in the Capitol,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-collins/but-the-significant-difference-between-thirteen-and-the-capitol-are/) [Suzanne Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-collins/) [Explore all 1,709 Suzanne Collins quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-collins/) ## More Complacency quotes > [“Complacency delivered us into the hands of evil greedy men like Cheney.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sonia-rumzi/complacency-delivered-us-into-the-hands-of-evil-greedy-men-like-cheney/) [Sonia Rumzi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sonia-rumzi/) > [He who is content with what has been done is an obstacle in the path of progress.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-keller/he-who-is-content-with-what-has-been-done-is-an-obstacle-in-the-path/) [Helen Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-keller/) > [Don't let your success of today lay you into complacency for tomorrow. For that is the worst form of failure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/og-mandino/don-t-let-your-success-of-today-lay-you-into-complacency-for-tomorrow/) [Og Mandino](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/og-mandino/) > [One of the reasons people hate politics is that truth is rarely a politician's objective. Election and power are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cal-thomas/one-of-the-reasons-people-hate-politics-is-that-truth-is-rarely-a/) [Cal Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cal-thomas/) > [We are the best the show, others weak hold. Just to get complacency / which does not](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mak-786/we-are-the-best-the-show-others-weak-hold-just-to-get-complacency/) [Mak\_786](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mak-786/) > [“It’s a fallacy that this generation does not know how to love as its predecessor did. Truth of the matter is, modern love is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lebo-grand/it-s-a-fallacy-that-this-generation-does-not-know-how-to-love-as-its/) [Lebo Grand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lebo-grand/) > [“To move forward, one need only take the first step,”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chase-neill/to-move-forward-one-need-only-take-the-first-step/) [Chase Neill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chase-neill/) > [Plato calls complacency the companion of loneliness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franz-grillparzer/plato-calls-complacency-the-companion-of-loneliness/) [Franz Grillparzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franz-grillparzer/) > [“Half the ingratitude and complacency in the world down to how slowly and imperceptibly most good and bad things unfold.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alain-de-botton/half-the-ingratitude-and-complacency-in-the-world-down-to-how-slowly/) [Alain de Botton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alain-de-botton/) > [Don't let your special character and values, the secret that you know and no one else does, the truth - don't let that get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aesop/don-t-let-your-special-character-and-values-the-secret-that-you-know/) [Aesop](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aesop/) > [In the mind engaged in struggling with hardship, one always finds something delightful. The sorrow of disappointment arises in the complacency of satisfaction.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zicheng-hong/in-the-mind-engaged-in-struggling-with-hardship-one-always-finds/) [Zicheng Hong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zicheng-hong/) > [Complacency is a creeping danger. Unless wisdom sets in, you will never come to your senses.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jey-lopez/complacency-is-a-creeping-danger-unless-wisdom-sets-in-you-will-never/) [Jey Lopez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jey-lopez/) > [I have spoken about what we can do as citizens, what we can do as a responsive citizenry, and this is where we have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-tempest-williams/i-have-spoken-about-what-we-can-do-as-citizens-what-we-can-do-as-a/) [Terry Tempest Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-tempest-williams/) > [“Listen to Mr. Complacency long enough and he'll convince you that what you really, really need is a nap.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-and-brett-harris/listen-to-mr-complacency-long-enough-and-he-ll-convince-you-that-what/) [Alex and Brett Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-and-brett-harris/) > [I always say, complacency is the kiss of death.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shari-redstone/i-always-say-complacency-is-the-kiss-of-death/) [Shari Redstone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shari-redstone/) [Browse all 437 Complacency quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/complacency/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Sometimes Coriolanus wondered if the debris had been left there to remind the citizens of what they had endured. 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