We do not work for men. We work for the land and the people. We do not even work for money.
Interpretation
This quote emphasizes that our efforts should be aligned with the greater good of society and the environment rather than personal gain.
Alan Paton's quote highlights the idea that our work should be directed towards serving the community and the land itself, rather than merely for the benefit of individuals or profit. It suggests that true fulfillment comes from contributing to the well-being of people and the preservation of the earth rather than accumulating wealth or status. This perspective invites a sense of purpose in our endeavors, implying that our actions should reflect a commitment to collective progress and sustainability.
In practice
During a speech at a charity event, one might say, 'As Alan Paton once stated, we do not work for men, but for the land and the people, highlighting the importance of our contributions to society.'
Cry, the beloved country, for the unborn child that's the inheritor of our fear. Let him not love the earth too deeply. Let him not laugh too gladly when the water runs through his fingers, nor stand too silent when the setting sun makes red the veld with fire. Let him not be too moved when the birds of his land are singing. Nor give too much of his heart to a mountain or a valley. For fear will rob him if he gives too much.
Ask yourself not if this or that is expedient, but if it is right.
One day in Johannesburg, and already the tribe was being rebuilt, the house and soul being restored.
What broke in a man when he could bring himself to kill another? What broke when he could bring himself to thrust down the knife into the warm flesh, to bring down the axe on the living head, to cleave down between the seeing eyes, to shoot the gun that would drive death into the beating heart?
It is not permissible to add to one's possesions if these things can only be done at the cost of other men. Such development has only one true name, and that is exploitation.
If you wrote a novel in South Africa which didn't concern the central issues, it wouldn't be worth publishing.
Liberty may be endangered by the abuse of liberty, but also by the abuse of power.
But, in fact, materialism is among the most problematic of philosophical standpoints, the most impoverished in its explanatory range, and among the most willful and (for want of a better word) magical in its logic, even if it has been in fashion for a couple of centuries or more.
Democracy cannot survive overpopulation.
A society is in decay, final or transitional, when common sense really becomes uncommon.
Written language must be considered as a particular psychic reality. The book is permanent; it is an object in your field of vision. It speaks to you with a monotonous authority which even its author would not have. You are fairly obliged to read what is written.
We've all been raised on television to believe that one day we'd all be millionaires, and movie gods, and rock stars. But we won't. And we're slowly learning that fact. And we're very, very pissed off.
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