"In the last five or six thousand years, empires one after another have arisen, waxed powerful by wars of conquest, and fallen by internal revolution or attack from without"

This quote by John Boyd Orr speaks with the cyclical nature of empires throughout history. For the past five or 6 thousand years, empires have been fluctuating in a continuous cycle. Empires have actually become powerful through wars of conquest, however eventually succumb to internal revolution or attack from outdoors forces. This quote highlights the fragility of empires and the significance of keeping a strong internal structure and external defense. It also works as a reminder that no empire is invincible and that all empires, no matter how powerful, are vulnerable to the very same forces that have actually triggered the downfall of empires in the past. This quote serves as a warning to those in power to be conscious of the potential for their own empire to fall, and to take the needed actions to ensure its durability.