"It seems as if an age of genius must be succeeded by an age of endeavour; riot and extravagance by cleanliness and hard work"

This quote by Virginia Woolf speaks to the cyclical nature of human development. It recommends that durations of fantastic imagination and development are frequently followed by periods of effort and devotion. Woolf indicates that after a duration of riot and extravagance, a duration of cleanliness and effort is required to build on the achievements of the previous age. This quote speaks with the concept that development is not direct, but rather a cycle of innovative genius and effort. Woolf suggests that these two forces should be in balance in order for progress to be made. This quote is a suggestion that progress is hard, which hard work and dedication are needed to build upon the achievements of the past. Woolf's quote is a tip that development is not a one-way street, but rather a cycle of creative genius and hard work.