QuoteProject
If the battle for civilization comes down to the wimps versus the barbarians, the barbarians are going to win.
Thomas Sowell
ShareWTF𝕏

Interpretation

What this quote means

The quote suggests that those lacking strength or resolve may struggle against more aggressive and ruthless forces.

Thomas Sowell's quote reflects on the nature of civilization and the dynamics of power. It implies that, in a conflict between those who are seen as weak or timid and those who are aggressive or barbaric, the latter will likely prevail. This highlights a philosophical perspective on human nature, suggesting that strength and determination are essential for survival and success in society. It serves as a cautionary reminder of the importance of resilience and the consequences of inaction in the face of adversity.

Themes

CivilizationStrengthPeaceConflictSurvival

In practice

Example use cases

In a debate about the importance of self-defense and strength in society.

More from Thomas Sowell

Stopping illegal immigration would mean that wages would have to rise to a level where Americans would want the jobs currently taken by illegal aliens.
Thomas SowellRead
Blacks were not enslaved because they were black but because they were available. Slavery has existed in the world for thousands of years. Whites enslaved other whites in Europe for centuries before the first black was brought to the Western hemisphere. Asians enslaved Europeans. Asians enslaved other Asians. Africans enslaved other Africans, and indeed even today in North Africa, blacks continue to enslave blacks.
Thomas SowellRead
One of the reasons for conspiracy theories is an assumption that people in high places always know what they are doing. When they do something that makes no sense, devious reasons are imagined by conspiracy theorists, when in fact it may be due to plain old ignorance and incompetence.
Thomas SowellRead
You will never understand bureaucracies until you understand that for bureaucrats procedure is everything and outcomes are nothing.
Thomas SowellRead
The real problem, both in discussions of mass shootings and in discussions of gun control, is that too many people are too committed to a vision to allow mere facts to interfere with their beliefs, and the sense of superiority that those beliefs give them.
Thomas SowellRead
Why is history important? Without history, many people have no idea how many of today's half-baked ideas have been tried, again and again - and have repeatedly led to disaster. Most of these ideas are not new. They are just being recycled with re-treaded rhetoric.
Thomas SowellRead

Similar quotes

We can do nothing without the body, let us always take care that it is in the best condition to sustain us.
SocratesRead
Everything is in motion. Everything flows. Everything is vibrating.
William HazlittRead
No burden is so heavy for a man to bear as a succession of happy days.
Max PlanckRead
Written language must be considered as a particular psychic reality. The book is permanent; it is an object in your field of vision. It speaks to you with a monotonous authority which even its author would not have. You are fairly obliged to read what is written.
Gaston BachelardRead
I distrust the incommunicable; it is the source of all violence
Jean-Paul SartreRead
I am so in favor of the actual infinite that instead of admitting that Nature abhors it, as is commonly said, I hold that Nature makes frequent use of it everywhere, in order to show more effectively the perfections of its Author.
Gottfried LeibnizRead

A little wisdom, now and then

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