The quote reflects on the historical stagnation within Moslem societies that resulted from a return to a fixed, unchanging view of the universe and reliance on a central authority. This shift led to a forfeiture of personal freedom and responsibility, as individuals became disconnected from the belief that they are in charge of their own lives and actions.

The author, Rose Wilder Lane, suggests that this withdrawal from individual autonomy resulted in a lack of progress over six centuries within these communities. The absence of personal accountability and the recognition that people shape their own realities contributed to a pervasive stagnation in Moslem life during that period.