Quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson
The true test of civilization is, not the census, nor the size of the cities, nor the crops - no, but the kind of man the country turns out.
Summary
This quote suggests that the measure of a civilization's greatness lies not in material accomplishments like population size or agricultural yields, but in the character and qualities of its people. It implies that the development of a society should prioritize the cultivation of virtuous and noble individuals. In essence, it emphasizes that the worth and progress of a civilization are ultimately determined by the kind of human beings it produces - their values, morals, and how they contribute to the collective welfare.