A great civilization is not conquered from without until it has destroyed itself from within.
Interpretation
A civilization's downfall often comes from internal issues rather than external forces.
Ariel Durant's quote suggests that the internal decay of a civilization—through division, corruption, or moral decline—can lead to its eventual collapse, regardless of outside threats. It emphasizes the importance of self-awareness and the need for societies to address their internal conflicts before they can be conquered by external forces, highlighting the idea that strength from within is crucial for survival.
In practice
This quote can be used in a lecture about the fall of empires and the importance of unity.
The influence of geographic factors diminishes as technology grows. The character and contour of a terrain may offer opportunities for agriculture, mining, or trade, but only the imagination and initiative of leaders, and the hardy industry of followers, can transform the possibilities into fact...Man, not the earth, makes civilization.
I am convinced that when a man sincerely searches for God with all his heart, God will reveal Himself in some way.
The letter kills the spirit. The written text is mute in the face of responding challenge. It does not admit of inward growth and correction. Text subverts the absolutely vital role of memory.
Distrust compassion; prefer dignity for yourself and others. Don't be afraid to be thought arrogant or selfish.
Through want of enterprise and faith men are where they are, buying and selling and spending their lives like servants.
We can have democracy in this country, or we can have great wealth concentrated in the hands of a few, but we can't have both.
I have never thought that a Christian would be free of suffering, umfundisi. For our Lord suffered. And I come to believe that he suffered, not to save us from suffering, but to teach us how to bear suffering. For he knew that there is no life without suffering.
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