"Everybody thinks that this civilization has lasted a very long time but it really does take very few grandfathers' granddaughters to take us back to the dark ages"

This quote by Gertrude Stein is a cautioning about the fragility of civilization. It recommends that although we might think our civilization has been around for a long period of time, it could be quickly reversed by a couple of generations. This implies that our current way of living is not as safe and secure as we may think, and that it might be quickly reversed if we are not mindful. It is a suggestion that we need to make sure to secure our civilization and the progress we have actually made, otherwise we might discover ourselves rapidly slipping back into the dark ages. This quote works as a reminder that we must be vigilant in securing our civilization and the progress we have made, otherwise we could find ourselves rapidly slipping back into the dark ages.