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Cry, the beloved country, for the unborn child that's the inheritor of our fear. Let him not love the earth too deeply. Let him not laugh too gladly when the water runs through his fingers, nor stand too silent when the setting sun makes red the veld with fire. Let him not be too moved when the birds of his land are singing. Nor give too much of his heart to a mountain or a valley. For fear will rob him if he gives too much.
Alan Paton
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Interpretation

What this quote means

This quote reflects a deep concern for the future and the emotional burdens placed on the next generation.

Alan Paton's quote expresses a poignant message about the fears and emotional weights that can be inherited by future generations. It highlights the tension between appreciating the beauty of the earth and the fear of losing it, suggesting that excessive attachment and love for nature may lead to suffering and disappointment. The call to 'cry' suggests mourning for a future that may be burdened by these fears, urging a balance between love and caution.

Themes

FearLoveNatureFutureSacrificeInheritor

In practice

Example use cases

This quote can be used in a speech about environmental protection to emphasize the responsibility we have towards future generations.

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If you wrote a novel in South Africa which didn't concern the central issues, it wouldn't be worth publishing.
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There is a lovely road that runs from Ixopo into the hills. These hills are grass-covered and rolling, and they are lovely beyond any singing of it.
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