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
The missionaries go forth to Christianize the savages - as if the savages weren't dangerous enough already.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote highlights the irony of attempting to impose civilization on those deemed 'savage', suggesting that such efforts can exacerbate existing dangers.
Edward Abbey's quote critiques the notion of missionaries who seek to bring Christianity and civilization to people labeled as 'savages', implying that this act can be seen as problematic or harmful. It critiques the arrogance of assuming that imposing one's beliefs and values is an inherently positive endeavor, while overlooking the potential adverse effects this colonizing mentality can have on those who are subjected to it.
Themes
CivilizationMissionariesSavagesIronyDangerCritique
In practice
Example use cases
In a debate about colonialism, this quote can be used to illustrate the potential harm of imposing foreign beliefs.
More from Edward Abbey
All quotes →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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