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
By the age of forty, a man is responsible for his face. And his fate.
Interpretation
What this quote means
By the age of forty, individuals should acknowledge that their life choices have shaped who they are.
This quote emphasizes that by the age of forty, a person has likely reached a point where their experiences and choices are reflected in their character and appearance. It implies that one's life decisions directly contribute to their current situation, reinforcing personal accountability and the importance of self-awareness in shaping one's destiny.
Themes
ResponsibilityAccountabilitySelf-AwarenessLife ChoicesDestiny
In practice
Example use cases
In a motivational speech about personal growth, one can use this quote to emphasize accountability.
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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If you're the smartest person you know, it's time to know some new people.
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