Every civilization when it loses its inner vision and its cleaner energy, falls into a new sort of sordidness, more vast and more stupendous than the old savage sort. An Augean stable of metallic filth.

Summary

This quote suggests that when a civilization loses its moral clarity and sustainable values, it descends into a new form of degradation that is both larger in scale and more astounding than the primitive sordidness of the past. It compares this state to the legendary Augean stables, which were filled with uncleanliness and filth. The quote highlights the idea that as societies lose their sense of purpose and ethical standards, they become consumed by a pervasive and widespread corruption symbolized by a metaphorical pile of metallic waste.

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