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
Saving the world was merely a hobby. My *vocation* has been that of_x000D_ inspector of desert water holes.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote reflects on the distinction between grand ambitions and the simple, often overlooked work that truly sustains life.
In this quote, Edward Abbey expresses a nuanced perspective on the value of seemingly mundane tasks compared to lofty pursuits. While 'saving the world' may sound noble, Abbey finds deeper fulfillment in his work as an inspector of desert water holes, which emphasizes the importance of practical contributions to our environment and communities that often go unnoticed in the grand narrative of heroism.
Themes
SustainabilityEnvironmentPracticalityServiceCommunity
In practice
Example use cases
During a speech about community service, one might say, 'As Edward Abbey wisely pointed out, saving the world was merely a hobby; let's focus on our local projects that truly make a difference.'
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
Similar quotes
Selfishness is the most constant of human motives. Patriotism, humanity, or the love of God may lead to sporadic outbursts sweep away the heaped-up wrongs of centuries; but they languish at times, while the love of self works on ceaselessly, unwearyingly,burrowing always at the very root of life, and heaping up fresh wrongs for other centuries to sweep away.
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I am the son of the road , my country is a caravan and my life is the most unexpected of voyages. i belong to earth and to the god and it is to them that I will one day soon return
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I have often been asked, Do not people bore you? I do not understand quite what that means. I suppose the calls of the stupid and curious, especially of newspaper reporters, are always inopportune. I also dislike people who try to talk down to my understanding. They are like people who when walking with you try to shorten their steps to suit yours; the hypocrisy in both cases is equally exasperating.
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The value of a man resides in what he gives
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We do not say: Being is, time is, but rather: there is Being and there is time.
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What's the go of that? What's the particular go of that?
James Clerk MaxwellRead