A great city, whose image dwells in the memory of man, is the type of some great idea. Rome represents conquest Faith hovers over the towers of Jerusalem and Athens embodies the pre-eminent quality of the antique world, Art.

Benjamin Disraeli

 

The Quote in Other Words

A remarkable metropolis, which remains vivid in people’s recollections, symbolizes a significant concept. Rome signifies triumph, Jerusalem’s towers are associated with belief, and Athens embodies the supreme attribute of the ancient world, which is art.

 

Explanation of the Quote

This quote highlights the idea that a great city can embody a larger concept or idea. Rome, for example, represents conquest, while Jerusalem is associated with faith and Athens with art. These cities have become symbols of these concepts, and their images have endured throughout history. This suggests that a city can be more than just a physical place, but can also represent something larger and more abstract. It also implies that a city’s identity is shaped by the ideas and values that it embodies. This quote encourages us to think about the deeper meanings behind the cities we inhabit and to consider how they reflect our own values and beliefs.