Age Quote by Thomas Malthus
“With regard to the duration of human life, there does not appear to have existed from the earliest ages of the world to the present moment the smallest permanent symptom or indication of increasing prolongation.”
About This Quote
Source Treatise: An Essay on the Principle of Population, 1798
Human lifespan has not significantly increased historically, suggesting limits to longevity despite advances.
In simple terms: Life expectancy hasn't changed much over ages.
Key Takeaway
Recognize limits of longevity expectations.
Themes
longevity
history
limits
Mood
skeptical
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
analytical
When to use this quote
- healthcare planning
- insurance
- public policy
Key Concepts
biological constraints
population dynamics
Questions to Reflect On
- What factors could truly extend human life?
- How should societies adapt if lifespans increase?
A Different Perspective
Modern medicine challenges this historical view.
![“[P]opulation, when unchecked, goes on doubling itself every twenty-five years, or increases in a geometrical ratio. ... [T]he means of subsistence, under circumstances the most favorable to human industry, could not possibly be made to increase faster than in an arithmetical ratio.” quote by Thomas Malthus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/16b/thomas-malthus-7621_circumstances_p-opulation-when-unchecked-goes-on-doubl_324443.jpg)
