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Book Thread: The Lessons of History by Will Durant
An incredible short book which has remained with me ever since I read it a few years back.
Quotes in this thread are either directly from the book or paraphrased as per my understanding of the written text.
An incredible short book which has remained with me ever since I read it a few years back.
Quotes in this thread are either directly from the book or paraphrased as per my understanding of the written text.
/1
The entire length of recorded human history is eventful but modest compared to the history of our planet and universe in general. Be humble.
The entire length of recorded human history is eventful but modest compared to the history of our planet and universe in general. Be humble.
/2
A core, underlying lesson behind human existence is that life is competition.
A core, underlying lesson behind human existence is that life is competition.
3/
Competition exists because we innately wish to further our family, community, tribe, or group. Cooperation within these groups exists so that we may out-do other competing groups.
Competition exists because we innately wish to further our family, community, tribe, or group. Cooperation within these groups exists so that we may out-do other competing groups.
4/
War is a Nation's way of eating.
War is a Nation's way of eating.
5/
Inequality is natural and inherent to the human condition. It only grows as a civilisation grows in complexity. You will consistently find that a small group of men will always be able to outperform the rest.
Inequality is natural and inherent to the human condition. It only grows as a civilisation grows in complexity. You will consistently find that a small group of men will always be able to outperform the rest.
6/
Freedom and Equality are sworn enemies. When one is victorious, the other dies.
Freedom and Equality are sworn enemies. When one is victorious, the other dies.
7/
When men are left to be free, inequality grows naturally. In order to contain inequality, liberty must be sacrificed.
When men are left to be free, inequality grows naturally. In order to contain inequality, liberty must be sacrificed.
8/
Only the person who is below average desires equality. Those who are aware of superior ability desire freedom, and often those with superior ability get their way.
Only the person who is below average desires equality. Those who are aware of superior ability desire freedom, and often those with superior ability get their way.
9/
The progression of humanity as a species does not distinguish between an advanced and primitive civilisation. A highly technologically advanced civilisation with a low birthrate shall often be replaced by another, regardless of their relative primitiveness.
The progression of humanity as a species does not distinguish between an advanced and primitive civilisation. A highly technologically advanced civilisation with a low birthrate shall often be replaced by another, regardless of their relative primitiveness.
10/
When food supply is scarce, there are usually 3 outcomes:
1. Famine
2. Pestilence
3. War
When food supply is scarce, there are usually 3 outcomes:
1. Famine
2. Pestilence
3. War
11/
The Poor and the Rich have the same impulses and desires. Only the Rich are able to fulfil them.
The Poor and the Rich have the same impulses and desires. Only the Rich are able to fulfil them.
12/
The imitative majority follows the innovating minority.
The imitative majority follows the innovating minority.
13/
Traditional conservatives are just as important as radical innovators. Both contribute to the rejection of bad ideas and the introduction of new ones.
Traditional conservatives are just as important as radical innovators. Both contribute to the rejection of bad ideas and the introduction of new ones.
14/
Economic history can be divided into three:
1. Hunting
2. Agricultural
3. Industry
Economic history can be divided into three:
1. Hunting
2. Agricultural
3. Industry
15/
The Industrial Revolution changed the economic form and moral superstructure of European and American life beyond any previous recognition.
The Industrial Revolution changed the economic form and moral superstructure of European and American life beyond any previous recognition.
16/
Though history is full of tales of treachery, sin and war, behind the curtain there are millions of orderly homes, devoted families and general goodness, righteousness and nobility. Little of this is comparatively recorded.
Though history is full of tales of treachery, sin and war, behind the curtain there are millions of orderly homes, devoted families and general goodness, righteousness and nobility. Little of this is comparatively recorded.
17/
Civilisations decay leisurely.
Civilisations decay leisurely.
18/
War is often a cause for the restoration of discipline in society.
War is often a cause for the restoration of discipline in society.
19/
Sexual excess in society may cure itself through its own overindulgence.
Sexual excess in society may cure itself through its own overindulgence.
20/
Even sceptical historians have understood and respected the influence of Religion. In every age it is provides a functional and indispensable.
Even sceptical historians have understood and respected the influence of Religion. In every age it is provides a functional and indispensable.
21/
One lesson of history is that Religion has many lives, and a habit of resurrection.
One lesson of history is that Religion has many lives, and a habit of resurrection.
22/
Moral disorder may itself generate a religious revival.
Moral disorder may itself generate a religious revival.
23/
There is no significant example in history, before our time, of a society successfully maintaining moral life without the aid of religion.
There is no significant example in history, before our time, of a society successfully maintaining moral life without the aid of religion.
24/
History is economics in action.
History is economics in action.
25/
It was once said that “Civilization is a parasite on the man with the hoe".
It was once said that “Civilization is a parasite on the man with the hoe".
26/
In peacetime, men are judged by their ability to produce. In war, they are ranked by their ability to destroy.
In peacetime, men are judged by their ability to produce. In war, they are ranked by their ability to destroy.
27/
The concentration of wealth in a minority is the natural consequence of the concentration of ability in a minority.
The concentration of wealth in a minority is the natural consequence of the concentration of ability in a minority.
28/
The first condition of Freedom is its limitation.
The first condition of Freedom is its limitation.
29/
Power naturally converges to a centre where it is most effective.
Power naturally converges to a centre where it is most effective.
30/
It is unnatural for a majority to rule a nation. A minority are easier to organise and unite for specific action.
It is unnatural for a majority to rule a nation. A minority are easier to organise and unite for specific action.
31/
The majority can often do no more than throw out one minority Government for another.
The majority can often do no more than throw out one minority Government for another.
32/
The sanity of a group lies in the continuity of its traditions.
The sanity of a group lies in the continuity of its traditions.
33/
The only real revolution is in the enlightenment of the mind and the improvement of character.
The only real revolution is in the enlightenment of the mind and the improvement of character.
34/
The excessive increase of anything causes a reaction in the opposite direction; dictatorship naturally arises out of democracy, and the most aggravated form of tyranny and slavery out of the most extreme form of liberty.
The excessive increase of anything causes a reaction in the opposite direction; dictatorship naturally arises out of democracy, and the most aggravated form of tyranny and slavery out of the most extreme form of liberty.
35/
Democracy is the most difficult of all forms of government, since it requires the widest spread of intelligence, and we forgot to make ourselves intelligent when we made ourselves sovereign.
Democracy is the most difficult of all forms of government, since it requires the widest spread of intelligence, and we forgot to make ourselves intelligent when we made ourselves sovereign.
36/
The rights of man are not rights to office and power, but the rights of entry into every avenue that may nourish and test a man’s fitness for office and power.
The rights of man are not rights to office and power, but the rights of entry into every avenue that may nourish and test a man’s fitness for office and power.
37/
War is one of the constants of history. In the last 3,421 years of recorded history only 268 have seen no war.
War is one of the constants of history. In the last 3,421 years of recorded history only 268 have seen no war.
38/
War is the ultimate form of competition.
War is the ultimate form of competition.
39/
War is a potent source of new ideas, inventions, institutions and states.
War is a potent source of new ideas, inventions, institutions and states.
40/
As man competes with another for food, land and materials, so will a state imitate the individual. The state has our instincts without our restraints.
As man competes with another for food, land and materials, so will a state imitate the individual. The state has our instincts without our restraints.
41/
In every century the generals and the rulers (with rare exceptions like Ashoka and Augustus) have smiled at the philosophers’ timid dislike of war.
In every century the generals and the rulers (with rare exceptions like Ashoka and Augustus) have smiled at the philosophers’ timid dislike of war.
42/
In the military interpretation of history war is the final arbiter, and is accepted as natural and necessary by all but cowards and simpletons.
In the military interpretation of history war is the final arbiter, and is accepted as natural and necessary by all but cowards and simpletons.
43/
A long peace may fatally weaken the martial muscles of a nation.
A long peace may fatally weaken the martial muscles of a nation.
44/
Man is a competitive animal and his states must be like himself. Natural selection now operates on an international plane.
Man is a competitive animal and his states must be like himself. Natural selection now operates on an international plane.
45/
When a nation rises to meet a challenge and is successful without suffering from exhaustion, it becomes bolder and fiercer to face any future threat. A victory accompanied by exhaustion is neutralised.
When a nation rises to meet a challenge and is successful without suffering from exhaustion, it becomes bolder and fiercer to face any future threat. A victory accompanied by exhaustion is neutralised.
46/
Civilisations decline through their inability to meet and deal with change.
Civilisations decline through their inability to meet and deal with change.
47/
Death is natural, and the mature mind will take no offense from its coming.
Death is natural, and the mature mind will take no offense from its coming.
48/
Nations die. Old regions grow arid or suffer other change. Resilient man picks up his tools and his arts, and moves on, taking his memories with him.
Nations die. Old regions grow arid or suffer other change. Resilient man picks up his tools and his arts, and moves on, taking his memories with him.
49/
Civilizations are the generations of the racial soul.
Civilizations are the generations of the racial soul.
50/
Man's nature has inherently remained the same throughout time. Any technological advancements are merely new means of achieving the same ends.
Man's nature has inherently remained the same throughout time. Any technological advancements are merely new means of achieving the same ends.
51/
Our comforts and conveniences may have weakened our physical stamina and our moral fibre.
Our comforts and conveniences may have weakened our physical stamina and our moral fibre.
52/
We have multiplied a hundred times our ability to learn and report the events of the day and the planet, but at times we envy our ancestors, whose peace was only gently disturbed by the news of their village.
We have multiplied a hundred times our ability to learn and report the events of the day and the planet, but at times we envy our ancestors, whose peace was only gently disturbed by the news of their village.
53/
By which yardstick do we judge human progress? It seems silly to define progress in terms that would make the average child a higher, more advanced product of life than the adult or the sage—for certainly the child is the happiest of the three.
By which yardstick do we judge human progress? It seems silly to define progress in terms that would make the average child a higher, more advanced product of life than the adult or the sage—for certainly the child is the happiest of the three.
54/
History is so indifferently rich that a case for almost any conclusion from it can be made by a selection of instances. Choosing our evidence with a brighter bias, we might evolve some more comforting reflections.
History is so indifferently rich that a case for almost any conclusion from it can be made by a selection of instances. Choosing our evidence with a brighter bias, we might evolve some more comforting reflections.
55/
We should not be greatly disturbed by the probability that our civilization will die like any other. As Frederick asked his retreating troops at Kolin, “Would you live forever?”
We should not be greatly disturbed by the probability that our civilization will die like any other. As Frederick asked his retreating troops at Kolin, “Would you live forever?”
