Ideas are like rabbits. You get a couple and learn how to handle them, and pretty soon you have a dozen.
John SteinbeckRead
Ah, the prayers of the millions, how they must fight and destroy each other on their way to the throne of God.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote reflects on the conflicting nature of human prayers and desires as they seek divine attention.
In this quote, John Steinbeck captures the chaotic and often contentious struggle of human beings as they express their prayers and wishes to God. It suggests that the multitude of voices and pleadings—often conflicting—must navigate through a complex path to reach a higher spiritual authority, highlighting the deeply human experience of yearning and the discord that can arise from differing desires and beliefs.
Themes
PrayersConflictHuman NatureSpiritualityGod
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion about the nature of faith and religion, this quote can illustrate the complexities of human emotions in spiritual practices.
More from John Steinbeck
All quotes →At 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.
John SteinbeckRead
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.
John SteinbeckRead
The comfortable people in tight houses felt pity at first, and then distaste, and finally hatred for the migrant people.
John SteinbeckRead
People do not want advice - they want corroboration.
John SteinbeckRead
It is one of the triumphs of the human that he can know a thing and still not believe it.
John SteinbeckRead
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