Quote by Anthony Burgess

We are supposed to be the children of Seth; but Seth is too much of an effete nonentity to deserve ancestral regard. No, we are the sons of Cain, and with violence can be associated the attacks on sound, stone, wood and metal that produced civilization.


We are supposed to be the children of Seth; but Seth is too

Summary

This quote suggests that rather than identifying with the more peaceful and obedient figure of Seth from biblical ancestry, humanity should associate itself with Cain, who embodies violence. The quote credits violence with driving the progress of civilization, citing attacks on natural materials like stone, wood, and metal as the foundations for society's advancement. It implies that aggression and an inclination to challenge and shape the world have been instrumental in the development and achievements of human civilization.

Topics

Violence
By Anthony Burgess
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