Civilizations are the generations of the racial soul. As family-rearing, and then writing, bound the generations together, handing down the lore of the dying to the young, so print and commerce and a thousand ways of communication may bind the civilizations together, and preserve for future cultures all that is of value for them in our own. Let us, before we die, gather up our heritage, and offer it to our children.

Durant Will (2003) An Invitation to Philosophy: Essays and Talks on the Love of Wisdom. 2 which never saw publication. He makes a mighty fine talk.

William James Durant (November 5 1885 – November 7 1981) was a prolific American writer historian and philosopher. He sought to unify and humanize the great body of historical knowledge which had grown too voluminous and become fragmented into esoteric specialties and to vitalize it for contemporary application. He is best known for The Story of Civilization 11 volumes written in collaboration with his wife Ariel Durant and publiWill Durantd between 1935 and 1975.