The Lessons of History
The Lessons of History is a 1968 book by historians Will Durant and Ariel Durant. The book provides a summary of periods and trends in history they had noted upon completion of the 10th volume of their momentous eleven-volume The Story of Civilization.
"Utopias of equality are biologically doomed, and the best that the amiable philosopher can hope for is an approximate equality of legal justice and educational opportunity. A society in which all potential abilities are allowed to develop and function will have a survival advantage in the competition of groups."
The Lessons of History"As education spreads, theologies lose credence, and receive an external conformity without influence upon conduct or hope."
The Lessons of History"Political forms, religious institutions, cultural creations, are all rooted in economic realities."
The Lessons of History"The replacement of Christian with secular institutions is the culminating and critical result of the Industrial Revolution."
The Lessons of History"Puritanism and paganism—the repression and the expression of the senses and desires—alternate in mutual reaction in history."
The Lessons of History"Civilization is not inherited; it has to be learned and earned by each generation anew; if the transmission should be interrupted for one century, civilization would die, and we should be savages again."
The Lessons of History
