--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Surely it is obvious enough, if one looks…" description: "\"“Surely it is obvious enough, if one looks at the whole world, that it is becoming daily better cultivated and more fully peopled than anciently. All p..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b76/tertullian-3469_business_surely-it-is-obvious-enough-if-one-looks_2657827.jpg" --- # Surely it is obvious enough, if one looks at the whole… ![“Surely it is obvious enough, if one looks at the whole world, that it is becoming daily better cultivated and more fully peopled than anciently. All places are now accessible, all are well known, all open to commerce; most pleasant farms have obliterated all traces of what were once dreary and…” quote by Tertullian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b76/tertullian-3469_business_surely-it-is-obvious-enough-if-one-looks_2657827.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b76/tertullian-3469_business_surely-it-is-obvious-enough-if-one-looks_2657827.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b76/tertullian-3469_business_surely-it-is-obvious-enough-if-one-looks_2657827.jpg) > ““Surely it is obvious enough, if one looks at the whole world, that it is becoming daily better cultivated and more fully peopled than anciently. All places are now accessible, all are well known, all open to commerce; most pleasant farms have obliterated all traces of what were once dreary and dangerous wastes; cultivated fields have subdued forests; flocks and herds have expelled wild beasts; sandy deserts are sown; rocks are planted; marshes are drained; and where once were hardly solitary cottages, there are now large cities. No longer are (savage) islands dreaded, nor their rocky shores feared; everywhere are houses, and inhabitants, and settled government, and civilized life. What most frequently meets our view (and occasions complaint), is our teeming population: our numbers are burdensome to the world, which can hardly supply us from its natural elements; our wants grow more and more keen, and our complaints more bitter in all mouths, whilst Nature fails in affording us her usual sustenance. In very deed, pestilence, and famine, and wars, and earthquakes have to be regarded as a remedy for nations, as the means of pruning the luxuriance of the human race. . . .”” [Tertullian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tertullian/) ## 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 has transformed nature, but overpopulation strains resources, leading to suffering and conflict. **In simple terms:** Progress harms nature, causing overpopulation and suffering. Key Takeaway Balance growth with sustainability. Themes progress population resource scarcity environment conflict Mood concerned critical Type philosophical social When to use this quote - urban planning - resource management - population policy - environmental ethics Key Concepts ecology demography philosophy Questions to Reflect On - Can innovation solve resource limits? - What ethical responsibilities arise from overpopulation? A Different Perspective The view may overlook benefits of technological advances that mitigate scarcity. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Burdensome World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/burdensome-world-2403252/) [Business](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/business/) [Deserts Sown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/deserts-sown-2403248/) [Government Civilized](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/government-civilized-2403251/) [Human race](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/human-race/) [Inhabitants Settled](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inhabitants-settled-2403249/) [Nature](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nature/) [Wastes Cultivated](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wastes-cultivated-2403250/) [Well known](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/well-known/) [Whole world](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/whole-world/) [Wild beast](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wild-beast/) ## Related quotes > [Everyone town of 100,000 in the United States should have a Classical Theater supported by the town, or the state of the county, or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-randall/everyone-town-of-100-000-in-the-united-states-should-have-a-classical/) [Tony Randall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-randall/) > [Why is our (US) government the only one in the civilized world with a stupid, short-term energy policy? 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