Without food, man at most can live but a few weeks; without it all other components of social justice are meaningless.
Interpretation
Access to food is fundamental for survival and an essential aspect of social justice.
This quote by Norman Borlaug emphasizes the critical importance of food for human survival and highlights that without it, discussions on social justice lose their significance. It suggests that addressing hunger is foundational to achieving broader social justice goals, indicating that no matter the progress made in other areas, it is meaningless if basic needs are not met.
In practice
In a speech about social reform, one could use this quote to underline the importance of addressing hunger.
During the past three years spectacular progress has been made in increasing wheat, rice, and maize production in several of the most populous developing countries of southern Asia, where widespread famine appeared inevitable only five years ago
We must recognize the fact that adequate food is only the first requisite for life. For a decent and humane life, we must also provide an opportunity for good education, remunerative employment, comfortable housing, good clothing, and effective and compassionate medical care.
We are 6.6 billion people now. We can only feed 4 billion. I don't see 2 billion volunteers to disappear.
Nevertheless, the number of farmers, small as well as large, who are adopting the new seeds and new technology is increasing very rapidly, and the increase in numbers during the past three years has been phenomenal.
Africa needs roads. Roads bring know-how and fertilizer to farmers and ideas and business for commerce.
This is a basic problem, to feed 6.6 billion people. Without fertilizer, forget it. The game is over.
Never limit your view of life by any past experience.
Although, I admit, I desire, Occasionally, some backtalk From the mute sky, I can't honestly complain: A certain minor light may still Lean incandescent Out of kitchen table or chair As if a celestial burning took Possession of the most obtuse objects now and then --
Man as an individual is a genius. But men in the mass form the headless monster, a great, brutish idiot that goes where prodded.
This thing is but a puny imitation of a much grander system whose laws you know, and I am not able to convince you that this mere toy is without a designer or maker; yet you profess to believe that the great original from which the design is taken has come into being without either designer or maker! Now tell me by what sort of reasoning do you reach such an incongruous conclusion?
The orgasm has replaced the Cross as the focus of longing and the image of fulfillment.
The real war poets are always war poets, peace or any time.
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