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There is no force more potent in the modern world than stupidity fueled by greed.
Edward Abbey
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Interpretation

What this quote means

Greed can amplify ignorance, leading to significant societal issues.

Edward Abbey's quote highlights the dangerous combination of stupidity and greed, suggesting that when ignorance and the desire for wealth intersect, they create a powerful force that can lead to destructive outcomes in the modern world. This statement serves as a cautionary reminder about the consequences of prioritizing personal gain over wisdom and understanding.

Themes

StupidityGreedIgnoranceSocietyConsequences

In practice

Example use cases

During a discussion on the impact of corporate greed, one might cite this quote to illustrate how harmful decisions are often made without regard for wisdom.

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.
Edward AbbeyRead

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