--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The whole world is a gigantic legacy…" description: "\"“The whole world is a gigantic legacy. Imagine having to start afresh each generation: who would invent the wheel, devise the lever, construct the alph..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/72a/sydney-j-harris-1578_legacy_the-whole-world-is-a-gigantic-legacy-ima_1006269.png" --- # The whole world is a gigantic legacy. Imagine having to… ![“The whole world is a gigantic legacy. Imagine having to start afresh each generation: who would invent the wheel, devise the lever, construct the alphabet and multiplication table? I could not; could you?” quote by Sydney J. Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/72a/sydney-j-harris-1578_legacy_the-whole-world-is-a-gigantic-legacy-ima_1006269.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/72a/sydney-j-harris-1578_legacy_the-whole-world-is-a-gigantic-legacy-ima_1006269.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/72a/sydney-j-harris-1578_legacy_the-whole-world-is-a-gigantic-legacy-ima_1006269.png) > ““The whole world is a gigantic legacy. Imagine having to start afresh each generation: who would invent the wheel, devise the lever, construct the alphabet and multiplication table? I could not; could you?”” [Sydney J. Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sydney-j-harris/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Human progress depends on building on past knowledge; starting from scratch each generation would halt invention and learning. **In simple terms:** We rely on previous discoveries to advance. Key Takeaway Preserve and share knowledge. Themes knowledge progress inheritance Mood reflective serious Type ethical philosophical When to use this quote - teaching - historical research - policy making - family traditions Key Concepts cumulative culture innovation education Questions to Reflect On - How can we ensure knowledge survives? - What responsibilities do we have to future generations? A Different Perspective If knowledge is lost, societies may regress. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Legacy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/legacy/) [Whole world](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/whole-world/) ## Related quotes > [Each generation seems to invent its own reasons for war.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-dean-myers/each-generation-seems-to-invent-its-own-reasons-for-war/) [Walter Dean Myers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-dean-myers/) > [The Internet has turned the world into one gigantic linked community, capable of instantly sharing vast amounts of incorrect information.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-bruce-cameron/the-internet-has-turned-the-world-into-one-gigantic-linked-community/) [W. Bruce Cameron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-bruce-cameron/) > [There is no reason not to consider the world as one gigantic painting,](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-rauschenberg/there-is-no-reason-not-to-consider-the-world-as-one-gigantic-painting/) [Robert Rauschenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-rauschenberg/) > [If filmmakers are ignorant of the past, they laborto re-invent the wheel in every picture. You sit and think, 'Well,we're back to 1903 here.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-bogdanovich/if-filmmakers-are-ignorant-of-the-past-they-laborto-re-invent-the/) [Peter Bogdanovich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-bogdanovich/) > [Never let anyone define what you are capable of by using parameters that don't apply to you. Inspiration is for amateurs, the rest of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-close/never-let-anyone-define-what-you-are-capable-of-by-using-parameters-2/) [Chuck Close](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-close/) > [“Bothers me when I have to invent the wheel again and again and again, because some people won't fit in the current one.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kambiz-shabankareh/bothers-me-when-i-have-to-invent-the-wheel-again-and-again-and-again/) [kambiz shabankareh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kambiz-shabankareh/) > [You don't have to invent the wheel, but you might want to be the company that invents the rims.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mc-hammer/you-don-t-have-to-invent-the-wheel-but-you-might-want-to-be-the/) [MC Hammer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mc-hammer/) > [“China it! Why invent the wheel when it has already been invented!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bangambiki-habyarimana/china-it-why-invent-the-wheel-when-it-has-already-been-invented/) [Bangambiki Habyarimana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bangambiki-habyarimana/) > [“When left alone, corporate cultures and values will erode over time. It can happen when companies or divisions are sold. It can happen when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/becca-spradlin-lead-on-mission/when-left-alone-corporate-cultures-and-values-will-erode-over-time-it/) [Becca Spradlin, Lead On Mission](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/becca-spradlin-lead-on-mission/) > [True fans will appreciate what I've done and the legacy I've left.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/petr-cech/true-fans-will-appreciate-what-i-ve-done-and-the-legacy-i-ve-left/) [Petr Cech](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/petr-cech/) > [Nick Saban's legacy is already cemented. He's won six national championships and seven if you include the one in LSU.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-ingram-ii/nick-saban-s-legacy-is-already-cemented-he-s-won-six-national/) [Mark Ingram II](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-ingram-ii/) > [“You will get your father's wealth one day but not his legacy.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amit-kalantri/you-will-get-your-father-s-wealth-one-day-but-not-his-legacy/) [Amit Kalantri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amit-kalantri/) > [It's interesting, I don't really think too much about being a role model or leaving a legacy or whatever. It's just not how I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dylan-alcott/it-s-interesting-i-don-t-really-think-too-much-about-being-a-role/) [Dylan Alcott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dylan-alcott/) > [The people of Orissa had unmatched love and respect for Bijubabu. There is no way that you can wish away his legacy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/naveen-patnaik/the-people-of-orissa-had-unmatched-love-and-respect-for-bijubabu/) [Naveen Patnaik](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/naveen-patnaik/) > [“There will be no legacy for Mr. Bush. I don't believe his successor would re-enunciate the words he used in his second inaugural address…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-f-buckley/there-will-be-no-legacy-for-mr-bush-i-don-t-believe-his-successor/) [William F. Buckley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-f-buckley/) ## More by Sydney J. Harris > [This is a lesson mankind has not yet learned. We identify, and stratify, and treat persons largely on the basis of their accidental (physical)…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sydney-j-harris/this-is-a-lesson-mankind-has-not-yet-learned-we-identify-and-stratify/) [Sydney J. Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sydney-j-harris/) > [Character is something you forge for yourself; temperament is something you are born with and can only slightly modify.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sydney-j-harris/character-is-something-you-forge-for-yourself-temperament-is/) [Sydney J. Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sydney-j-harris/) > [Middle Age is that perplexing time of life when we hear two voices calling us, one saying, 'Why not?' and the other, 'Why bother?'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sydney-j-harris/middle-age-is-that-perplexing-time-of-life-when-we-hear-two-voices/) [Sydney J. Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sydney-j-harris/) > [The profound immoralities of our time are cruelty, indifference, injustice and the use of others as means rather than ends in themselves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sydney-j-harris/the-profound-immoralities-of-our-time-are-cruelty-indifference/) [Sydney J. Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sydney-j-harris/) > [Marriages we regard as the happiest are those in which each of the partners believes he or she got the best of it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sydney-j-harris/marriages-we-regard-as-the-happiest-are-those-in-which-each-of-the/) [Sydney J. Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sydney-j-harris/) > [“...it calls for deciding things on their own merit, not because you read it or were told it or grew up believing it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sydney-j-harris/it-calls-for-deciding-things-on-their-own-merit-not-because-you-read/) [Sydney J. Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sydney-j-harris/) > [Ignorance per se is not nearly as dangerous as ignorance of ignorance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sydney-j-harris/ignorance-per-se-is-not-nearly-as-dangerous-as-ignorance-of-ignorance/) [Sydney J. Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sydney-j-harris/) > [Patriotism is proud of a country's virtues and eager to correct its deficiencies; it also acknowledges the legitimate patriotism of other countries, with their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sydney-j-harris/patriotism-is-proud-of-a-country-s-virtues-and-eager-to-correct-its/) [Sydney J. Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sydney-j-harris/) > [A cynic is not merely one who reads bitter lessons from the past, his is also one who is permanently disappointed in the future.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sydney-j-harris/a-cynic-is-not-merely-one-who-reads-bitter-lessons-from-the-past-his/) [Sydney J. Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sydney-j-harris/) > [Time is love, above all else. It is the most precious commodity in the world and should be lavished on those we care most…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sydney-j-harris/time-is-love-above-all-else-it-is-the-most-precious-commodity-in-the/) [Sydney J. Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sydney-j-harris/) > [Just about the only interruption we don't object to is applause.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sydney-j-harris/just-about-the-only-interruption-we-don-t-object-to-is-applause/) [Sydney J. Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sydney-j-harris/) > [“The cynic is goodhearted beneath his facade, whereas the sentimentalist is flint-hearted beneath his.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sydney-j-harris/the-cynic-is-goodhearted-beneath-his-facade-whereas-the/) [Sydney J. Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sydney-j-harris/) > [Any philosophy that can be put in a nutshell belongs there.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sydney-j-harris/any-philosophy-that-can-be-put-in-a-nutshell-belongs-there/) [Sydney J. Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sydney-j-harris/) > [“Like all persecuted minority groups, they strike back by forming cabals, by “taking over” certain spheres of activity (in the arts, for instance), and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sydney-j-harris/like-all-persecuted-minority-groups-they-strike-back-by-forming/) [Sydney J. Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sydney-j-harris/) > [Intolerance is the most socially acceptable form of egotism, for it permits us to assume superiority without personal boasting.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sydney-j-harris/intolerance-is-the-most-socially-acceptable-form-of-egotism-for-it/) [Sydney J. Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sydney-j-harris/) [Explore all 226 Sydney J. Harris quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sydney-j-harris/) ## More Legacy quotes > [“There will be no legacy for Mr. Bush. I don't believe his successor would re-enunciate the words he used in his second inaugural address…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-f-buckley/there-will-be-no-legacy-for-mr-bush-i-don-t-believe-his-successor/) [William F. Buckley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-f-buckley/) > [“When left alone, corporate cultures and values will erode over time. It can happen when companies or divisions are sold. It can happen when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/becca-spradlin-lead-on-mission/when-left-alone-corporate-cultures-and-values-will-erode-over-time-it/) [Becca Spradlin, Lead On Mission](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/becca-spradlin-lead-on-mission/) > [Nick Saban's legacy is already cemented. He's won six national championships and seven if you include the one in LSU.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-ingram-ii/nick-saban-s-legacy-is-already-cemented-he-s-won-six-national/) [Mark Ingram II](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-ingram-ii/) > [True fans will appreciate what I've done and the legacy I've left.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/petr-cech/true-fans-will-appreciate-what-i-ve-done-and-the-legacy-i-ve-left/) [Petr Cech](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/petr-cech/) > [The people of Orissa had unmatched love and respect for Bijubabu. There is no way that you can wish away his legacy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/naveen-patnaik/the-people-of-orissa-had-unmatched-love-and-respect-for-bijubabu/) [Naveen Patnaik](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/naveen-patnaik/) > [It's interesting, I don't really think too much about being a role model or leaving a legacy or whatever. It's just not how I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dylan-alcott/it-s-interesting-i-don-t-really-think-too-much-about-being-a-role/) [Dylan Alcott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dylan-alcott/) > [“You will get your father's wealth one day but not his legacy.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amit-kalantri/you-will-get-your-father-s-wealth-one-day-but-not-his-legacy/) [Amit Kalantri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amit-kalantri/) > [It was difficult, but it was also rewarding. When you have a chance to see kids get better, everything makes it all worth it.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-brandt/it-was-difficult-but-it-was-also-rewarding-when-you-have-a-chance-to/) [Paul Brandt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-brandt/) > [I would say my favorite tattoo is my first tattoo of my father, you know, just the remembrance of him, his legacy and impact…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deandre-hopkins/i-would-say-my-favorite-tattoo-is-my-first-tattoo-of-my-father-you/) [DeAndre Hopkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deandre-hopkins/) > [I want to create a legacy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jade-cargill/i-want-to-create-a-legacy/) [Jade Cargill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jade-cargill/) > [I am ever mindful of the legacy of my grandfather, the founder of this Kingdom, who had said to me that he perceived his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/king-hussein-i/i-am-ever-mindful-of-the-legacy-of-my-grandfather-the-founder-of-this/) [King Hussein I](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/king-hussein-i/) > [The recurrent laryngeal nerve - which runs from the head to the voice box - goes all the way down into the chest, loops…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-dawkins/the-recurrent-laryngeal-nerve-which-runs-from-the-head-to-the-voice/) [Richard Dawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-dawkins/) > [I am not concerned about getting reelected. I can make the unpopular but necessary decision. Your focus from day one is on your legacy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benigno-aquino-iii/i-am-not-concerned-about-getting-reelected-i-can-make-the-unpopular/) [Benigno Aquino III](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benigno-aquino-iii/) > [Take good care of your REPUTATION, It's going to live longer than YOU.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anmol-andore/take-good-care-of-your-reputation-it-s-going-to-live-longer-than-you/) [Anmol Andore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anmol-andore/) > [Education affects every major challenge we face in society. It creates economic growth, paves the way for peace and stability and helps erase the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shakira/education-affects-every-major-challenge-we-face-in-society-it-creates/) [Shakira](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shakira/) [Browse all 2,068 Legacy quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/legacy/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“The whole world is a gigantic legacy. Imagine having to start afresh each generation: who would invent the wheel, devise the lever, construct the alphabet and multiplication table? I could not; could you?”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Sydney J. 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