“O [Roman] people be ashamed; be ashamed of your lives. Almost no cities are free of evil dens, are altogether free of impurities, except the cities in which the barbarians have begun to live...Let nobody think otherwise, the vices of our bad lives have alone conquered us...The Goths lie, but are chaste, the Franks lie, but are but are generous, the Saxons are savage in cruelty...but are admirable in chastity...what hope can there be [for the Romans] when the barbarians are more pure [than they]?"-Salvian”
Explore This Quote Further
Quote Analysis
In this quote by Salvian, he expresses shame and disappointment towards the Roman people for their immoral and corrupt behavior compared to the perceived virtues of the barbarians. Salvian criticizes the Romans for their lack of purity and emphasizes the contrast with the supposedly chaste and admirable qualities of the barbarians, such as the Goths, Franks, and Saxons. This quote serves as a commentary on the decline of Roman civilization and the perceived moral superiority of the barbarian tribes during that time period.
Modern Relevance
In this quote by Salvian, a 5th-century Christian writer, he criticizes the Roman people for their immorality and corruption, contrasting it with the perceived virtues of the barbarian tribes. This sentiment may still hold relevance today as societal values and ethics continue to be debated and compared.
Salvian on the Moral Decay of the Romans
"O [Roman] people be ashamed; be ashamed of your lives. Almost no cities are free of evil dens, are altogether free of impurities, except the cities in which the barbarians have begun to live...Let nobody think otherwise, the vices of our bad lives have alone conquered us...The Goths lie, but are chaste, the Franks lie, but are but are generous, the Saxons are savage in cruelty...but are admirable in chastity...what hope can there be [for the Romans] when the barbarians are more pure [than they]?" - William J Federer
Reflection Questions:
This quote from Salvian reflects on the moral decline of Roman society and compares it to the perceived virtues of barbarian tribes. Consider these questions as you reflect on Salvian's words:
- In what ways do you think Salvian is critiquing Roman society in this quote?
- How does Salvian perceive the virtues of the barbarians compared to the vices of the Romans?
- Do you think Salvian's portrayal of the barbarians as "more pure" than the Romans is accurate or fair?
- How might Salvian's words apply to contemporary society or your own personal life?
- What can we learn from Salvian's critique of Roman society and his comparison to the barbarians?
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