10 Ancient Roman Concepts That Explain the Modern World

These ancient concepts come from an assortment of wisdom found in the time of the Roman Empire include:

The Tacitus Razor: “If you want to know who controls you, see who you’re not allowed to criticize.” This is how comedians accidently reveal a society's hierarchy—they call everyone naked, and soon discover who the king is.

The Slavery Syndrome. Roman historian Sallust: “Few men desire liberty; most men wish only for a just master.” Genuine liberty means making decisions 24/7; parsing right from wrong; solving pesky dilemmas using nothing but one’s own mind.

The Polybius Warning: 2nd century B.C. historian Polybius warned that a falling birthrate precedes civilizational collapse. Fewer births mean men and women have checked out. Polybius believed the Greek civilization fell due to its “low birth rate…”

The Pliny Principle: “It is wonderful how the mind is stirred and quickened into activity by brisk bodily exercise.”

The Uses of Folly. Roman historian Herodotus: “If a man insisted always on being serious, and never allowed himself a bit of fun and relaxation, he would go mad.”

6. The Vitruvius Rule: Modern architects love asymmetrical structures, but Ancient Roman architect Vitruvius said a building out of proportions is like a deformed body. Nature herself “composed the human body” and the rest of creation using “due proportions.” The Vitruvius Rule: No symmetry? Off to cemetery.

And more!