Mark Lewis: History is a mystery.

For most of my career I was a historian by profession. It can be very sad. It is especially depressing to see your country following the same path that so many others have taken into bankruptcy, depravity and vulnerability. America today is a classic example of fall and decline. Textbook. So few people ever see it. It’s very sad and downright depressing.

This is just one example of a historical story, but there are many others.

The 2nd and first millennia B.C. of Ancient Crete saw a thriving, highly developed culture (Minoan), which lasted for several centuries. As with all cultures, modern and ancient, there was an eventual descent. Will Durant, historian, provides a clear analysis of the events that led to this once-great civilization. “Perhaps there, too, as in most declining cultures, population control went too far and reproduction was left to the failures. Perhaps as wealth and luxury increased, the pursuit of physical pleasure sapped the vitality of the race and weakened its will to live or defend itself. A nation is born stoic and dies epicurean.” Two points from Will Durant, The Life of Greece. “reproduction was left to the failures,” And the “pursuit of physical pleasure.” This kind of problem can cause society to collapse and has happened many times. Some analysis and application.

Point One. Every society throughout human history has had its fair share of riffraff. These are the human scum of the species, the uncivilized and the irredeemable. They are garbage. I’m sorry, I really hate to say that, I know it sounds cruel, but it’s simply the truth. George Gilder said it: “If the truth be known, all too many of them [the uncouth barbarians] are entirely unsuited for civilized life. Every society must figure out ways to bring them into the disciplines and duties of citizenship.” They must be civilized (it does happen in a few instances) or isolated, ostracized and in effect quarantined like a disease. Otherwise, they will reproduce like rats and infect the society, spreading their disease and bringing it closer to their perverse level. Or society will be run by sewers.

If the lower social classes dominate the growth of the population, and their children are not civilized and acculturated properly, they will infest the whole body politic little by little until death. As in ancient Crete. Rome. Yes, these two places are still there, but they don’t have the glory and magnificence to propel humanity forward, not slow it down. America is not going away and will never cease to exist. It will be a third-rate, unsanitary, and dangerously roaming, unsafe animals roaming every street. This will make it impossible for people to survive and will force the leadership of the world to shift to a country more willing to accept it. It might be great, or it may not. It depends on which country is at the top of the food chain. This is the most likely scenario.

Point 2. Durant stated, “Also, it is crucial to note that Durant believed: “as wealth and luxury increased, the pursuit of physical pleasure sapped the vitality of the race and weakened its will to live or defend itself.” A nation rises above tyranny by self-control, selfless sacrifice and character. It is free. It grows wealthy. It wants to be a part of that wealth. The decline begins because such a society produces an effeminate culture that, because it doesn’t want to lose its affluence, becomes too timid and fractured to defend itself. People live for their own self-gratification and lose the virtues that brought about virility and advancement. Quit eating vegetables and exercising, sit in front of the TV all evening wasting your mind, and you’ll become fat, lazy, and stupid. You’ll be completely unable to defend yourself from a stronger foe. What will happen to a society full of such miserable people? It doesn’t take a historical genius to answer that.

American Leftists especially—and too many supposed “conservatives” nowadays—glorify and celebrate immorality, debauchery, and the utterly debased scum that are dragging America into a slime pit. At best, we wring our hands, “What can we do?” We can’t do anything, because America has already gone too far in that direction. Let’s just take drag queens and all their degenerate amusements as an example. How can we change that? We have come to love the lifestyle they lead, and we are forced to accept every logical consequence and monstrosity that comes with it. It is a nation in moral and mortal decline. How many people see it?

Durant’s last point is brilliant beyond description: “A nation is born stoic and dies epicurean.” Although Stoicism and Epicureanism can be more complicated than simple statements can explain, the basic idea of his is sound. A “stoic” A person or nation that can endure hardship and pain and overcomes obstacles without complaining. Stoics believed that virtue, which is the highest good, is based upon knowledge and that the wise live in harmony and harmony with nature, divine Reason, and excellence. Epicurean is defined as someone who pursues sensual pleasures and lavish living. This misanthrope does not care about the common good and virtuous living. And obviously, cannot and will not elevate any society to the heights of moral excellence and self-discipline necessary to that society’s defense, long-term survival, and improvement. A nation is born stoic, dies epicurean. And it’s obvious why.

Tell me, Stoicism or Epicureanism, which one best describes America today? Worse, how many people really get it? Or care?

Don’t miss out on some good American reading from the good ol’ days.  My western novels Whitewater  River Bend, These books are also available on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Eliva.com.   Another western Allie’s Dilemma, is only available for Kindle.   Check out my other posts at thailandlewis.blogspot.com.

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