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About this quote

What does it mean?
Modern society relies on gunpowder, printing, and Protestantism as key pillars.
In plain terms
These three things helped build the modern world.
What can you take from it?
These three forces shaped modern civilization.

Where it applies

  • historical analysis
  • political science
  • religion

Putting it to work

  • study history
  • understand influences
  • track change

Questions to consider

  • What are the key forces in modern society today?
  • Are these the only things that matter?

Another view

Many other factors also shaped modern civilization beyond these three.

More from Thomas Carlyle

  1. The great law of culture is: Let each become all that he was created capable of being.

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  2. Literary men are...a perpetual priesthood.

    Permalink to quote #17
  3. A well-written Life is almost as rare as a well-spent one.

    Permalink to quote #14

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