I have never thought of myself as a good writer. Anyone who wants reassurance of that should read one of my first drafts. But I'm one of the world's great rewriters.
James A. MichenerRead
Rampaging horsemen can conquer; only the city can civilize.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Civilization is achieved through social order rather than brute force.
This quote highlights the distinction between raw power and the essence of civilization. While forceful individuals or groups may achieve victories and dominance, it is the structure, values, and order of society that ultimately defines what it means to be civilized. Civilization is a collective achievement that relies on cooperation, laws, and shared beliefs rather than mere conquest.
Themes
CivilizationConquestSocietyOrderPower
In practice
Example use cases
In a debate about the role of government and law in society, this quote can emphasize the importance of civilization over mere power.
More from James A. Michener
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I think the crucial thing in the writing career is to find what you want to do and how you fit in. What somebody else does is of no concern whatever except as an interesting variation.
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I was brought up in the great tradition of the late nineteenth century: that a writer never complains, never explains and never disdains.
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The permanent temptation of life is to confuse dreams with reality. The permanent defeat of life comes when dreams are surrendered to reality.
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