--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We forget how the Greeks and Romans…" description: "\"We forget how the Greeks and Romans prevailed magnificently in a barbaric world and how that triumph ended-how a slackness and softness finally overcam..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dc5/thomas-s-monson-409_barbaric_we-forget-how-the-greeks-and-romans-prev_2225507.png" --- # We forget how the Greeks and Romans prevailed… ![“We forget how the Greeks and Romans prevailed magnificently in a barbaric world and how that triumph ended-how a slackness and softness finally overcame them to their ruin. In the end, more than they wanted freedom, they wanted security and a comfortable life; and they lost all-comfort and…” quote by Thomas S. Monson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dc5/thomas-s-monson-409_barbaric_we-forget-how-the-greeks-and-romans-prev_2225507.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dc5/thomas-s-monson-409_barbaric_we-forget-how-the-greeks-and-romans-prev_2225507.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dc5/thomas-s-monson-409_barbaric_we-forget-how-the-greeks-and-romans-prev_2225507.png) > “We forget how the Greeks and Romans prevailed magnificently in a barbaric world and how that triumph ended-how a slackness and softness finally overcame them to their ruin. In the end, more than they wanted freedom, they wanted security and a comfortable life; and they lost all-comfort and security and freedom.” [Thomas S. Monson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-s-monson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Societies that prioritize comfort and security over freedom become complacent, leading to decline; true liberty requires vigilance. **In simple terms:** Security can erode freedom. Key Takeaway Guard freedom by resisting complacency. Themes freedom security complacency Mood cautionary inspirational Type philosophical reflective When to use this quote - government policy - personal habits - community leadership - civic engagement Key Concepts political philosophy historical cycles Questions to Reflect On - How do you maintain freedom while ensuring safety? - What signs indicate societal complacency? A Different Perspective Balancing security and freedom is complex. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Barbaric](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/barbaric/) [Comfort](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/comfort/) [Comfortable](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/comfortable/) [Comfortable life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/comfortable-life/) [Ends](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ends/) [Forget](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/forget/) [Forget Greeks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/forget-greeks-4984610/) [Freedom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/freedom/) [Greek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/greek/) [Lost](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lost/) [Overcame Ruin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/overcame-ruin-4984611/) [Romans Prevailed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/romans-prevailed-4984609/) [Ruins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ruins/) [Security](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/security/) [Security and freedom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/security-and-freedom/) [Softness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/softness/) [Triumph](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/triumph/) [Wanted](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wanted/) [Wanted Freedom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wanted-freedom-326027/) [World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world/) ## Related quotes > [They that can give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/they-that-can-give-up-essential-liberty-to-purchase-a-little/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [Everyone's goals are the same with very small differences. I mean, the goal of a socialist and the goal of a libertarian are exactly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/penn-jillette/everyone-s-goals-are-the-same-with-very-small-differences-i-mean-the/) [Penn Jillette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/penn-jillette/) > [We look forward to a world founded upon four essential human freedoms. The first is freedom of speech and expression. The second is freedom…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklin-d-roosevelt/we-look-forward-to-a-world-founded-upon-four-essential-human-freedoms-2/) [Franklin D. Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklin-d-roosevelt/) > [Those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end, for they do so with the approval of their own conscience.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-s-lewis/those-who-torment-us-for-our-own-good-will-torment-us-without-end-for/) [C. S. Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-s-lewis/) > [Independence used to be the ticket for liberty. But today, security and freedom, whether it's in the Arab Spring, whether it's in Iraq or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-barber/independence-used-to-be-the-ticket-for-liberty-but-today-security-and/) [Benjamin Barber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-barber/) > [“People believe that through the American way of life they can work together to encourage wider ownership of economic activities. In this way, they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/people-believe-that-through-the-american-way-of-life-they-can-work/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Besides my religious commitment, the greatest single factor that has enabled me to pursue my business and political objectives has been the security and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/preston-manning/besides-my-religious-commitment-the-greatest-single-factor-that-has/) [Preston Manning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/preston-manning/) > [Some people say that parents don't matter, and that's not true at all. The irony is that we pay attention to all these things…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alison-gopnik/some-people-say-that-parents-don-t-matter-and-that-s-not-true-at-all/) [Alison Gopnik](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alison-gopnik/) > [“Our dream of heaven cannot be realized on earth. Once we begin to rely upon our reason, and to use our powers of criticism,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-popper/our-dream-of-heaven-cannot-be-realized-on-earth-once-we-begin-to-rely/) [Karl Popper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-popper/) > [You've just got to do what you think is right, and just make the decisions based upon noble causes. And a noble cause is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-w-bush/you-ve-just-got-to-do-what-you-think-is-right-and-just-make-the/) [George W. Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-w-bush/) > [Democracies have been found incompatible with personal security or the rights of property; and in general been as short in their lives as they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-madison/democracies-have-been-found-incompatible-with-personal-security-or/) [James Madison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-madison/) > [I believed then, and continue to believe now, that the benefits to our security and freedom of widely available cryptography far, far outweigh the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-blaze/i-believed-then-and-continue-to-believe-now-that-the-benefits-to-our/) [Matt Blaze](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-blaze/) > [Germans argue with the Americans about many things, from the death penalty to the relationship between security and freedom. We have to be honest…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/heinrich-august-winkler/germans-argue-with-the-americans-about-many-things-from-the-death/) [Heinrich August Winkler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/heinrich-august-winkler/) > [Crouch down and lick the hands which feed you. May your chains sit lightly upon you, and may posterity forget that ye were our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-adams/crouch-down-and-lick-the-hands-which-feed-you-may-your-chains-sit/) [Samuel Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-adams/) > [As was true in Iraq and Libya, the United States has no credible government or leader able to bring order, security, and freedom to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tulsi-gabbard/as-was-true-in-iraq-and-libya-the-united-states-has-no-credible/) [Tulsi Gabbard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tulsi-gabbard/) ## More by Thomas S. Monson > [I know that God loves us. He allows us to exercise our moral agency even when we misuse it. He permits us to make…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-s-monson/i-know-that-god-loves-us-he-allows-us-to-exercise-our-moral-agency/) [Thomas S. Monson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-s-monson/) > [“Some find it difficult to withstand the mocking and unsavory remarks of foolish ones who ridicule chastity, honesty, and obedience to God’s commands. But…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-s-monson/some-find-it-difficult-to-withstand-the-mocking-and-unsavory-remarks/) [Thomas S. Monson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-s-monson/) > [Choose your love, Love your choice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-s-monson/choose-your-love-love-your-choice/) [Thomas S. Monson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-s-monson/) > [I ask you to make INSTITUTE a PRIORITY.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-s-monson/i-ask-you-to-make-institute-a-priority/) [Thomas S. Monson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-s-monson/) > [Those who grieve frequently find themselves alone. Missed is the laughter of children, the commotion of teenagers, and the tender, loving concern of a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-s-monson/those-who-grieve-frequently-find-themselves-alone-missed-is-the/) [Thomas S. Monson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-s-monson/) > [I hope with all my heart and soul that every young man who receives the priesthood will honor that priesthood and be true to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-s-monson/i-hope-with-all-my-heart-and-soul-that-every-young-man-who-receives/) [Thomas S. Monson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-s-monson/) > [“Forgiveness should go hand in hand with love. In our families, as well as with our friends, there can be hurt feelings and disagreements.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-s-monson/forgiveness-should-go-hand-in-hand-with-love-in-our-families-as-well/) [Thomas S. Monson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-s-monson/) > [“Born in a stable, cradled in a manger, He came forth from heaven to live on earth as mortal man and to establish the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-s-monson/born-in-a-stable-cradled-in-a-manger-he-came-forth-from-heaven-to/) [Thomas S. Monson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-s-monson/) > [“A happy home is but and earlier Heaven.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-s-monson/a-happy-home-is-but-and-earlier-heaven/) [Thomas S. Monson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-s-monson/) > [The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints sends forth to you an earnest appeal. Open your doors to the missionaries. Open your minds…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-s-monson/the-church-of-jesus-christ-of-latter-day-saints-sends-forth-to-you-an/) [Thomas S. Monson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-s-monson/) > [This is my philosophy on all life, not just when it comes to love. All the best things are terrifying, but that's why they're…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-s-monson/this-is-my-philosophy-on-all-life-not-just-when-it-comes-to-love-all/) [Thomas S. Monson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-s-monson/) > [We are surrounded by those in need of our attention, our encouragement, our support, our comfort, our kindness... We are the Lord’s hands here…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-s-monson/we-are-surrounded-by-those-in-need-of-our-attention-our-encouragement/) [Thomas S. Monson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-s-monson/) > [You have a heritage honor it. You have posses a testimony share it. You will face temptations withstand it. You know the truth live…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-s-monson/you-have-a-heritage-honor-it-you-have-posses-a-testimony-share-it-you/) [Thomas S. Monson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-s-monson/) > [We learn and grow and become stronger as we face and survive the trials through which we must pass.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-s-monson/we-learn-and-grow-and-become-stronger-as-we-face-and-survive-the/) [Thomas S. Monson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-s-monson/) > [I am certain that the Lord, who notes the fall of a sparrow, looks with compassion upon those who have been called upon to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-s-monson/i-am-certain-that-the-lord-who-notes-the-fall-of-a-sparrow-looks-with/) [Thomas S. Monson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-s-monson/) [Explore all 586 Thomas S. Monson quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-s-monson/) ## More Barbaric quotes > [Fighting, to me, seems barbaric. I don't really like it. I enjoy out-thinking another man and out-maneuvering him, but I still don't like to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sugar-ray-robinson/fighting-to-me-seems-barbaric-i-don-t-really-like-it-i-enjoy-out/) [Sugar Ray Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sugar-ray-robinson/) > [“Barbaric is letting the woman suffer to be alone for the rest of her life.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/missy-lyons/barbaric-is-letting-the-woman-suffer-to-be-alone-for-the-rest-of-her/) [Missy Lyons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/missy-lyons/) > [Mr. Speaker, for the last 5 years I have been working with a bipartisan group of my colleagues to make it illegal to continue…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/earl-blumenauer/mr-speaker-for-the-last-5-years-i-have-been-working-with-a-bipartisan/) [Earl Blumenauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/earl-blumenauer/) > [Sometimes I wish eastern Congo could suffer an earthquake or a tsunami, so that it might finally get the attention it needs. The barbaric…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicholas-d-kristof/sometimes-i-wish-eastern-congo-could-suffer-an-earthquake-or-a/) [Nicholas D. Kristof](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicholas-d-kristof/) > [To know only one thing well is to have a barbaric mind: civilization implies the graceful relation of all varieties of experience to a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-graves/to-know-only-one-thing-well-is-to-have-a-barbaric-mind-civilization/) [Robert Graves](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-graves/) > [Taxes are a barbaric remnant of ancient times in which early farmers, tied to the land, no longer able to roam freely, unable to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/l-neil-smith/taxes-are-a-barbaric-remnant-of-ancient-times-in-which-early-farmers/) [L. Neil Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/l-neil-smith/) > [Consider the wave of revulsion that floods the average person when he or she hears of the practice of human sacrifice by the Aztecs…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-allen/consider-the-wave-of-revulsion-that-floods-the-average-person-when-he/) [Steve Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-allen/) > [In other words, the barbaric acts carried out in this building were probably almost a matter of routine.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geoff-hoon/in-other-words-the-barbaric-acts-carried-out-in-this-building-were/) [Geoff Hoon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geoff-hoon/) > [Football is so barbaric. Sometimes I wonder what I was thinking by playing it. I feel almost like I escaped from boot camp.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-bosworth/football-is-so-barbaric-sometimes-i-wonder-what-i-was-thinking-by/) [Brian Bosworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-bosworth/) > [In Spain in the meantime, Aristotelian scholar Juan Gines de Sepulveda was putting the impolitic moralizing of Las Casas into proper perspective for posterity:…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/juan-gines-de-sepulveda/in-spain-in-the-meantime-aristotelian-scholar-juan-gines-de-sepulveda/) [Juan Gines de Sepulveda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/juan-gines-de-sepulveda/) > [Dance music ... stirs some barbaric instinct - lulled asleep in our sober lives - you forget centuries of civilization in a second, &…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/virginia-woolf/dance-music-stirs-some-barbaric-instinct-lulled-asleep-in-our-sober/) [Virginia Woolf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/virginia-woolf/) > [“The barbarian loves his own pride, and hates, or disbelieves in, the pride of others. I will be a civilized being, I will love…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-blixen/the-barbarian-loves-his-own-pride-and-hates-or-disbelieves-in-the/) [Karen Blixen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-blixen/) > [We are going to be able to defeat ISIS on the ground there, as well as in this world, because of the Muslim Americans…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-o-malley/we-are-going-to-be-able-to-defeat-isis-on-the-ground-there-as-well-as/) [Martin O'Malley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-o-malley/) > [Boxing was on the one hand barbaric, unconscionable, out of place in modern society. But then, so are war, racism, poverty, and pro football.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-wiley/boxing-was-on-the-one-hand-barbaric-unconscionable-out-of-place-in/) [Ralph Wiley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-wiley/) > [Landmines are among the most barbaric weapons of war, because they continue to kill and maim innocent people long after the war itself has…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kofi-annan/landmines-are-among-the-most-barbaric-weapons-of-war-because-they/) [Kofi Annan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kofi-annan/) [Browse all 129 Barbaric quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/barbaric/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "We forget how the Greeks and Romans prevailed magnificently in a barbaric world and how that triumph ended-how a slackness and softness finally overcame them to their ruin. 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