Civilization: a thin veneer over barbarianism. – John M. Shanahan, The Most Brilliant Thoughts of All Time (In Two Lines or Less)

It must be admitted that there is a degree of instability which is inconsistent with civilization. But, on the whole, the great ages have been unstable ages. – Alfred North Whitehead

Human history becomes more and more a race between education and catastrophe. – H.G. Wells, The Outline of History

Leash: n, a means by which animals, formerly running wild, are prevented from running tame, also. – Robert Brault, rbrault.blogspot.com