If we want things to stay as they are, things will have to change.
Giuseppe Tomasi Di LampedusaRead
All this shouldn't last; but it will, always; the human 'always' of course, a century, two centuries... and after that it will be different, but worse. We were the Leopards, the Lions; those who'll take our place will be little jackals, hyenas; and the whole lot of us, Leopards, jackals, and sheep, we'll all go on thinking ourselves the salt of the earth.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote reflects on the inevitable decline of humanity and the superficiality of self-perception.
Giuseppe Tomasi Di Lampedusa's quote contemplates the transient nature of human existence and societal hierarchy. It suggests that while the current leaders and influential figures may see themselves as noble and significant, future generations will inevitably inherit a world filled with lesser beings, symbolized by jackals and hyenas. This perspective evokes a sense of fatalism regarding human progress and the cyclical nature of life, culminating in the idea that despite the decline, people will continue to have an inflated sense of their own importance.
Themes
HumanityDeclinePerceptionLegacySociety
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion on historical patterns, one might reflect with this quote to highlight the recurring themes of leadership and decline.
More from Giuseppe Tomasi Di Lampedusa
All quotes →If we want everything to remain as it is, it will be necessary for everything to change.
Giuseppe Tomasi Di LampedusaRead
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