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About this quote

What does it mean?
Future generations may view our era as ignorant.
In plain terms
We might be called dark ages someday.
What can you take from it?
Don't assume we are enlightened.

Where it applies

  • historical analysis
  • philosophy
  • criticism

Putting it to work

  • question current beliefs
  • study past errors
  • stay humble

Questions to consider

  • What do future people dislike about now?
  • Are we actually ignorant?

Another view

It overlooks real progress we have made.

More from Georg Christoph Lichtenberg

  1. People don't think so differently about the events of life as they talk about them.

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  2. Popularizing should always be done in such a manner that one would elevate people by it. If one stoops down, one should always take care of elevating even thos…

    Permalink to quote #146
  3. One's first step in wisdom is to question everything - and one's last is to come to terms with everything.

    Permalink to quote #143

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