"A civilization is not something we simply
inherit or ever finally possess. Each
generation, individually and collectively,
needs to make a continual effort to appropriate
it anew because a civilization is not
passed along to us at birth. A civilization is
an elaborate structure of ideas and institutions,
slowly built up over time by the intelligence
and effort of countless individuals
working alone and together."

The Above is a Direct quote from the article and should be viewed as such.