So I should say that civilizations begin with religion and stoicism: they end with scepticism and unbelief, and the undisciplined pursuit of individual pleasure. A civilization is born stoic and dies epicurean.
Will DurantEvery science begins as philosophy and ends as art; it arises in hypothesis and flows into achievement.
Will DurantHistory seldom destroys that which does not deserve to die; and the burning of the tares makes for the next sowing a richer soil.
Will Durant