1,222 Quotes About Civilization

I have the not altogether unsatisfying impression that civilisation is collapsing around me.Is it my age, I wonder, or the age we live in? I am not sure. Civilisations do collapse, after all, but on the other hand people grow old with rather greater frequency.

In order to be good, one needs to be virtuous, not "nice". In order to be true, one needs to be honest, not "authentic". In order to be wise, one needs to be discriminating, not "open-minded". And in order to be civilized, one needs to be principled, not "sophisticated".

When people stargazing, they stare at stars,and many other things which they've already presumed commonly and universally as stars.

The human body is not necessarily a human being.

Civilization is diaphanous: a dazzling display, beautiful, a brilliant golden orb of order and geometric precision. But just touch it lightly and see toward you what evil things crawl.

Unorganized morality is called sociability. Organized morality is called civilization. Unorganized immorality is called barbarity. Organized immorality is called statism.

Peace ought not be regarded the height of civilization, else like barbarians we forever battle for peace.

I believe that without strict enforcement of penalties for any offence violating the principles of truth and honesty, Nigeria and Africa will not be able to move from our present state of underdevelopment into civilization.

Society cannot function if it is every man for himself. By definition, civilization cannot survive that. Those in authority must retain the public's trust. The way to do that is to distort nothing, to put the best face on nothing, to try to manipulate no one.