"Civilization began the first time an angry person cast a word instead of a rock"
- Sigmund Freud
About this Quote
Sigmund Freud's quote recommends that the development of civilization was marked by a shift from physical violence to spoken communication. This shift was likely driven by the need to solve disputes without turning to physical violence. By utilizing words instead of rocks, individuals were able to reveal their anger and disappointment in a more useful way. This allowed them to fix conflicts without resorting to physical violence, which was most likely advantageous for the advancement of civilization.
The quote likewise suggests that using words instead of rocks was a conscious decision. Individuals needed to choose to use words rather of rocks in order to resolve conflicts. This recommends that individuals had the capability to believe and reason, which was likely a key factor in the advancement of civilization.
Overall, Sigmund Freud's quote suggests that the development of civilization was marked by a shift from physical violence to spoken interaction. This shift was most likely driven by the requirement to solve disputes without resorting to physical violence, and it recommends that individuals had the capability to think and factor. This shift was most likely advantageous for the development of civilization.
"While civilization has been improving our houses, it has not equally improved the men who are to inhabit them. It has created palaces, but it was not so easy to create noblemen and kings"