Can we ring the bells backward? Can we unlearn the arts that pretend to civilize, and then burn the world? There is a march of science; but who shall beat the drums for its retreat?
Interpretation
The quote questions the destructive aspects of civilization and technology, suggesting a need to reconsider our progress.
Charles Lamb's quote prompts deep reflection on the consequences of technological and scientific advancement. It highlights the irony of progress, where civilization may lead to destruction rather than enlightenment. Lamb is asking whether we can reverse our advancements or abandon the arts that often mislead us, and calls for an awareness of the potential negative impacts of our scientific march—a reminder to balance progress with consideration for its repercussions.
In practice
During a lecture on technology's impact on society, one might quote this to emphasize the need for critical reflection on progress.
Thus, when the lamp that lighted The traveller at first goes out, He feels awhile benighted, And looks around in fear and doubt. But soon, the prospect clearing, By cloudless starlight on he treads, And thinks no lamp so cheering As that light which Heaven sheds.
As down in the sunless retreats of the ocean Sweet flowers are springing no mortal can see, So deep in my soul the still prayer of devotion, Unheard by the world, rises silent to Thee. As still to the star of its worship, though clouded, The needle points faithfully o'er the dim sea, So dark when I roam in this wintry world shrouded, The hope of my spirit turns trembling to Thee.
The most mortifying infirmity in human nature, to feel in ourselves, or to contemplate in another, is perhaps cowardice.
Oh, ever thus, from childhood's hour, I 've seen my fondest hopes decay; I never loved a tree or flower But 't was the first to fade away. I never nurs'd a dear gazelle, To glad me with its soft black eye, But when it came to know me well And love me, it was sure to die.
May my last breath be drawn through a pipe, and exhaled in a jest.
A pun is not bound by the laws which limit nicer wit. It is a pistol let off at the ear; not a feather to tickle the intellect.
Every one in a crowd has the power to throw dirt; none out of ten have the inclination.
A fanatic commits to an ideal to whatever end. A fanatic throws everything aside to pursue their idea. Take something which it would be good to be committed to, like basic human rights. You might campaign for such a thing. You might spend every day of your life pursuing such a thing. But once you become fanatical about it, anything can happen.
My aunt once said that the world would never find peace until men fell at their women's feet and asked for forgiveness.
We are bound by nothing except belief.
As corporations gain in autonomous institutional power and be-come more detached from people and place, the human interest and the corporate interest increasingly diverge. It is almost as though we were being invaded by alien beings intent on colonizing our planet, reducing us to serfs, and then excluding as many of us as possible.
When we sin and mess up our lives, we find that God doesn't go off and leave us- he enters into our trouble and saves us.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.