Their very conservatism is secondhand, and they don't know what
The words of Robertson Davies, “Their very conservatism is secondhand, and they don’t know what they are conserving,” carry the tone of lament and warning. Here he speaks of those who cling to traditions not out of wisdom or reverence, but from habit, fear, or borrowed conviction. Such conservatism is hollow, for it lacks both memory of origin and vision of purpose. To conserve without understanding is to guard an empty chest, mistaking dust for treasure.
In the ages past, true conservators were the keepers of flame. They preserved sacred texts, guarded the laws, and passed down the wisdom of ancestors so that future generations might not fall into ruin. But when one merely repeats what others have said—when their conservatism is secondhand—it becomes mimicry, not stewardship. It is like chanting prayers in a language one does not know, the sound surviving while the meaning is long lost.
Consider the fate of the late Byzantine Empire. Many clung fiercely to customs and institutions, insisting they preserved the greatness of Rome. Yet they had forgotten what Rome itself once stood for: adaptability, expansion, and civic virtue. Their conservatism became brittle and ceremonial, guarding forms without substance. Thus, when new challenges came, their empire crumbled, for they did not know what they were truly conserving.
Davies’ words warn that tradition without understanding becomes a prison rather than a foundation. To be a true guardian of the past is not merely to repeat it, but to know its essence, to preserve its soul while adapting its form to living times. Anything less is the worship of relics, without the fire that once gave them life.
So let this wisdom endure: conserve not because others tell you to, nor because fear demands it, but because you know what is worth keeping and why. The true conservator is both historian and visionary—one who remembers the origin, cherishes the essence, and ensures that what is handed down is not a husk, but a living flame to guide the future.
HNHan Nguyen
This quote makes me question how often we fall into the trap of mindlessly conserving ideas or practices without truly understanding why. Are we, as a society, too quick to label something as ‘conservative’ or ‘traditional’ without asking if it’s still valid or beneficial today? How do we preserve the core values that matter, while being open to reform and growth?
TVPham Thi Vinh
Davies brings up a valid point about conservatism being more about blindly holding on to the past than actually preserving valuable aspects of it. What if the things we are conserving no longer serve the greater good? Can we even be sure that what’s being ‘conserved’ is worth keeping in the first place? How do we ensure that our actions align with the true spirit of conservatism, rather than just copying what’s been done before?
CTChi Truong
This quote feels like a critique of shallow conservatism, where beliefs are adopted without critical thought. What does it mean to ‘conserve’ something if you don’t understand its value? Are we seeing this in politics today, where ideologies are defended without an understanding of their origins or consequences? How do we challenge the status quo without disregarding the lessons that history has to offer?
LPDuc luc Pham
I agree with Davies that conservatism can sometimes become mindless, with people repeating things they've inherited without really grasping the essence of it. Is this a reflection of broader societal laziness or a fear of change? How can we shift the conversation to one where tradition is valued only when it serves a constructive purpose, rather than being blindly adhered to just because it's familiar?
TTThao TTP
Davies seems to be critiquing a type of conservatism that is more about tradition for tradition's sake, rather than understanding the principles behind it. Does this mean that we should be more discerning about what we conserve? How often do we see people defending outdated ideas without questioning their purpose? Is it possible to be a true conservative if you don’t fully understand what you are conserving?