p. 177
β€œ

It is in the irony of Providence that the more man comes to control the material world about him, the more does he lose control over the effects of his action; and it is when he is remaking the world most speedily that he knows least whither he is driving.

— Hilaire Belloc

What It Means

This is a placeholder explanation generated by the low-overhead model. It interprets "It is in the irony of Providence that the more man comes to control the material world about him, the more does he lose control over the effects of his action; and it is when he is remaking the world most speedily that he knows least whither he is driving." in the context of "p. 177" to mean that wisdom is timeless.

Quote Image
Source: Wikiquote: "Hilaire Belloc" (Quotes, ''The Cruise of the 'Nona''' (1925): ''The Cruise of the 'Nona''', Penguin 1958 edition) The 'What it means' explanation text was generated by Google Gemini Flash (accessed January 18, 2026). https://gemini.google.com/app
Hilaire Belloc

About Hilaire Belloc

Joseph Hilaire Pierre RenΓ© Belloc (27 July 1870 – 16 July 1953) was a Franco-English writer and poet, known chiefly for his essays and children's books; he was sometimes referred to by the nickname "Old Thunder". Belloc was also an orator, poet, sailor, satirist, writer of letters, soldier, and political activist.