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Why I oppose the nuclear-arms race: I prefer the human race.
Edward Abbey
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Interpretation

What this quote means

The quote expresses a preference for humanity over the proliferation of nuclear weapons.

Edward Abbey's quote highlights the importance of valuing human life and the human experience above the dangers posed by the nuclear arms race. It suggests that the pursuit of such destructive capabilities undermines our shared humanity and calls for a return to what truly matters: the welfare of people and society as a whole.

Themes

Nuclear ArmsHumanityPeaceLifeChoice

In practice

Example use cases

In a speech about disarmament, you might quote Abbey to emphasize the need for prioritizing human welfare.

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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