Thus in the 39th century order and property were once more established throughout the planet.
"But, as I have said, what you call religion had altogether disappeared--had ceased, at least as an avowed principle, to affect the ideas and conduct of society or of individuals.

The re-establishment of peace and order concentrated men's energies on the production of material wealth and the achievement of physical comfort and ease.

Looking forward to nothing after death, they could only make the best of the short life permitted to them and do their utmost to lengthen it.

In the assurance of speedy separation, affection became a source of much more anxiety and sorrow than happiness.

All ties being precarious and their endurance short, their force became less and less; till the utmost enjoyment of the longest possible life for himself became the sole, or almost the sole, animating motive, the one paramount interest, of each individual.