Married couples who quarrel bitterly every day may really need each other as deeply as those who appear to be desperately in love.
Edward AbbeyRead
In the land of bleating sheep and braying jackasses, one brave and honest man is bound to create a scandal.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Speaking truth against the majority often leads to controversy.
This quote by Edward Abbey emphasizes that in a society filled with conformity and mindless following, a single individual who dares to speak the truth or stand up against the crowd can cause significant disruption. The reference to 'bleating sheep' and 'braying jackasses' illustrates the tendency of people to follow the herd, while the 'brave and honest man' represents the courage it takes to be different and authentic.
Themes
CourageTruthHonestyIndividualityConformity
In practice
Example use cases
This quote could be used in a speech about social justice movements.
More from Edward Abbey
All quotes βI love America because it is a confused, chaotic mess - and I hope we can keep it this way for at least another thousand years. The permissive society is the free society.
Edward AbbeyRead
If it's knowledge and wisdom you want, then seek out the company of those who do real work for an honest purpose.
Edward AbbeyRead
The earth is real. Only a fool, milking his cow, denies the cow's reality.
Edward AbbeyRead
I believe in nothing that I cannot touch, kiss, embrace.... The rest is only hearsay.
Edward AbbeyRead
Why can't we simply borrow what is useful to us from Buddhism, Hinduism, Taoism, especially Zen, as we borrow from Christianity, science, American Indian traditions and world literature in general, including philosophy, and let the rest go hang? Borrow what we need but rely principally upon our own senses, common sense and daily living experience.
Edward AbbeyRead
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