QuoteProject
Empires do not suffer emptiness of purpose at the time of their creation. It is when they have become established that aims are lost and replaced by vague ritual.
Frank Herbert
ShareWTF𝕏

Interpretation

What this quote means

Empires start with a clear purpose but often lose their direction over time, becoming consumed by routine.

This quote by Frank Herbert suggests that the initial formation of empires is driven by strong, clear objectives. However, as time passes and empires become established, they often fall into a state of complacency where their original aims are overshadowed by ritualistic practices, leading to a loss of meaningful direction and purpose.

Themes

EmpirePurposeDirectionRitualAims

In practice

Example use cases

This quote is perfect for a history lecture discussing the rise and fall of empires.

More from Frank Herbert

My father once told me that respect for truth comes close to being the basis for all morality. 'Something cannot emerge from nothing,' he said. This is profound thinking if you understand how unstable 'the truth' can be.
Frank HerbertRead
If you need something to worship, then worship life - all life, every last crawling bit of it! We're all in this beauty together!
Frank HerbertRead
Religion must remain an outlet for people who say to themselves, "I am not the kind of person I want to be." It must never sink into an assemblage of the self-satisfied.
Frank HerbertRead
To know a thing well, know it's limits; Only when pushed beyond it's tolerance will it's true nature be seen. -The Amtal Rule
Frank HerbertRead
Technology tends toward avoidance of risks by investors. Uncertainty is ruled out if possible. People generally prefer the predictable. Few recognize how destructive this can be, how it imposes severe limits on variability and thus makes whole populations fatally vulnerable to the shocking ways our universe can throw the dice.
Frank HerbertRead
It is impossible to live in the past, difficult to live in the present and a waste to live in the future.
Frank HerbertRead

Similar quotes

The Devil has the broadest perspectives for God; therefore, he keeps so far away from God -- the Devil being the most ancient friend of wisdom
Friedrich NietzscheRead
Look at you in war...There has never been a just one, never an honorable one, on the part of the instigator of the war.
Mark TwainRead
Harry, suffering like this proves you are still a man! This pain is part of being human —” β€œTHEN β€” I β€” DON’T β€” WANT β€” TO β€” BE β€” HUMAN!” Harry roared.
J. K. RowlingRead
To die is different from what any one supposed, and luckier.
Walt WhitmanRead
Some day I'm going to have to stand before God, and if He asks me why I didn't let that [Jackie] Robinson fellow play ball, I don't think saying 'because of the color of his skin' would be a good enough answer.
Branch RickeyRead
The Sage has no thinking mind and therefore there are no β€˜others’ for him.
Ramana MaharshiRead

A little wisdom, now and then

Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.