Economists (and others) who are satisfied with nature-free equations develop a dangerous hubris about the potency of our species
Garrett HardinRead
Society does not need more children; but it does need more loved children. Quite literally, we cannot afford unloved children - but we pay heavily for them every day. There should not be the slightest communal concern when a woman elects to destroy the life of her thousandth-of-an-ounce embryo. But all society should rise up in alarm when it hears that a baby that is not wanted is about to be born.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote emphasizes the importance of nurturing love for children rather than merely increasing their numbers.
In this quote, Garrett Hardin argues that society should focus on the quality of love and care given to children rather than increasing their numbers. He suggests that unloved children lead to significant societal costs and challenges, making it imperative for communities to prioritize the emotional and psychological well-being of children over mere procreation. Essentially, the quote highlights the need for a nurturing environment for every child, stressing that the impact of an unwanted child is a concern for society as a whole.
Themes
ChildrenLoveSocietyNurturingWell-Being
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be shared during a community discussion on child welfare.
More from Garrett Hardin
All quotes →Moreover, the practical recommendations deduced from ecological principles threaten the vested interests of commerce; it is hardly surprising that the financial and political power created by these investments should be used sometimes to suppress environmental impact studies.
Garrett HardinRead
A technical solution may be defined as one that requires a change only in the techniques of the natural sciences, demanding little or nothing in the way of change in human values or ideas of morality.
Garrett HardinRead
Thou shalt not transgress the carrying capacity
Garrett HardinRead
A finite world can support only a finite population; therefore, population growth must eventually equal zero.
Garrett HardinRead
Indeed, our particular concept of private property, which deters us from exhausting the positive resources of the earth, favors pollution.
Garrett HardinRead
Similar quotes
My wife was the first romantic partner who understood both American and native parts of me - not so much the positive stuff, but the damage.
Sherman AlexieRead
Basic human contact - the meeting of eyes, the exchanging of words - is to the psyche what oxygen is to the brain. If you're feeling abandoned by the world, interact with anyone you can.
Martha BeckRead
Sometimes two people will regard each other over a gulf too wide to ever be bridged, and know immediately what could have happened, and that it never will.
Roger EbertRead
You see, we are here, as far as I can tell, to help each other - our brothers, our sisters, our friends, our enemies. That's to help each other, not hurt each other.
Stevie Ray VaughanRead
We reaffirm that on days like this, there are no Republicans or Democrats. We are Americans, united in concern for our fellow citizens.
Barack ObamaRead
Do you think it makes people nasty to be loved? You know it doesn’t! Then why should it make them nice to be loathed? While you’re being persecuted, you hate what’s happening to you, you hate the people who are making it happen; you’re in a world of hate. Why, you wouldn’t recognize love if you met it! You’d suspect love! You’d think there was something behind it—some motive—some trick.
Christopher IsherwoodRead