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The free exploring mind of the individual human is the most valuable thing in the world.
John Steinbeck
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Interpretation

What this quote means

Individual curiosity and exploration are immensely valuable.

This quote by John Steinbeck emphasizes the importance of an individual's capacity for exploration and creativity. It suggests that the unique ability of humans to think freely and explore new ideas or experiences is what drives progress and innovation, making it the most precious asset we possess.

Themes

ExplorationCuriosityIndividualityMindValue

In practice

Example use cases

This quote can be used in discussions about the value of creativity in education.

More from John Steinbeck

Ideas are like rabbits. You get a couple and learn how to handle them, and pretty soon you have a dozen.
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At one point, as Samuel urges Adam to raise his boys well regardless of the blood that might be in them, Adam tells him, "You can't make a race horse of a pig." Samuel replies, "No, but you can make a very fast pig.
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And when that crop grew, and was harvested, no man had crumbled a hot clod in his fingers and let the earth sift past his fingertips. No man had touched the seed, or lusted for the growth. Men ate what they had not raised, had no connection with the bread. The land bore under iron, and under iron gradually died; for it was not loved or hated, it had no prayers or curses.
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The comfortable people in tight houses felt pity at first, and then distaste, and finally hatred for the migrant people.
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People do not want advice - they want corroboration.
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It is one of the triumphs of the human that he can know a thing and still not believe it.
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