Ideas are like rabbits. You get a couple and learn how to handle them, and pretty soon you have a dozen.
John SteinbeckRead
He learned that when people are very poor they still have something to give and the impulse to give it.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Even those who have little can offer something valuable to others.
This quote by John Steinbeck reflects the profound understanding that generosity and the desire to contribute can exist regardless of one's financial or material circumstances. It emphasizes the innate human quality of kindness and the ability to share, highlighting that true wealth is not measured by possessions, but by the willingness to give and connect with others.
Themes
GenerosityGivingPovertyKindnessHumanity
In practice
Example use cases
During a charity event, to inspire others to donate despite their financial situations.
More from John Steinbeck
All quotes βAt 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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