It is a pleasant thing to reflect upon, and furnishes a complete answer to those who contend for the gradual degeneration of the human species, that every baby born into the world is a finer one than the last.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Each new generation is physically or morally superior to the last, countering ideas of decline.
- In plain terms
- Babies today are better than babies in the past, showing the species is improving.
- What can you take from it?
- Optimism about human progress is supported by the quality of new generations.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Are we really improving over time?
- What defines a finer human?
Another view
Some argue human values may decline even if physical traits improve.
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