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
We judge individual man and women as we do nations and races -- by the character of their achievement and by their achievement of character.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote emphasizes that both individuals and groups should be evaluated based on their accomplishments and moral character.
Edward Abbey's quote reflects on the human tendency to assess worth and value based on achievements and character. Just as nations and races are often judged by their historical successes and the integrity of their citizens, so too should individuals be evaluated on what they have accomplished and the quality of their character. This perspective invites a deeper understanding of a personβs true value beyond surface-level traits or achievements.
Themes
CharacterAchievementJudgmentValuesMorality
In practice
Example use cases
This quote could be used in a motivational speech about personal growth and integrity.
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.
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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.
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.
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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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