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Only a fool would leave the enjoyment of rainbows to the opticians. Or give the science of optics the last word on the matter.
Edward Abbey
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Interpretation

What this quote means

Appreciate the beauty of life beyond its scientific explanations.

In this quote, Edward Abbey emphasizes the importance of experiencing and enjoying the wonders of nature, such as rainbows, rather than reducing them solely to scientific analysis. He suggests that a purely analytical approach to understanding phenomena can lead to missed opportunities for joy and appreciation in life.

Themes

BeautyNatureAppreciationExperienceScience

In practice

Example use cases

In a speech about embracing nature, this quote can serve as a reminder to appreciate life’s wonders.

More from Edward Abbey

Married couples who quarrel bitterly every day may really need each other as deeply as those who appear to be desperately in love.
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I 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.
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If it's knowledge and wisdom you want, then seek out the company of those who do real work for an honest purpose.
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The earth is real. Only a fool, milking his cow, denies the cow's reality.
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I believe in nothing that I cannot touch, kiss, embrace.... The rest is only hearsay.
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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.
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A little wisdom, now and then

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