--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: In saying no to progress, it is not the…" description: "\"In saying no to progress, it is not the future which they condemn, but themselves. They give themselves a melancholy disease; they inoculate themselves..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2a4/victor-hugo-32_disease_in-saying-no-to-progress-it-is-not-the-f_949861.jpg" --- # In saying no to progress, it is not the future which they… ![“In saying no to progress, it is not the future which they condemn, but themselves. They give themselves a melancholy disease; they inoculate themselves with the past. There is but one way of refusing tomorrow, that is to die.” quote by Victor Hugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2a4/victor-hugo-32_disease_in-saying-no-to-progress-it-is-not-the-f_949861.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2a4/victor-hugo-32_disease_in-saying-no-to-progress-it-is-not-the-f_949861.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2a4/victor-hugo-32_disease_in-saying-no-to-progress-it-is-not-the-f_949861.jpg) > “In saying no to progress, it is not the future which they condemn, but themselves. They give themselves a melancholy disease; they inoculate themselves with the past. There is but one way of refusing tomorrow, that is to die.” [Victor Hugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victor-hugo/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. People who cling to the past reject future possibilities, harming themselves. **In simple terms:** Clinging to past harms future. Key Takeaway Embrace change, let go of nostalgia. Themes change future self‑destruction Mood reflective somber Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - personal growth - career planning - historical analysis Key Concepts nostalgia psychology existentialism Questions to Reflect On - How does nostalgia limit you? - What future do you fear? A Different Perspective Ignoring the past can also preserve valuable lessons. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Disease](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/disease/) [Giving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/giving/) [Melancholy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/melancholy/) [Past](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/past/) [Progress](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/progress/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) [Tomorrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tomorrow/) ## Related quotes > ["No" is a word that must never be negotiated, because the person who chooses not to hear it is trying to control you... 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