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
I find more and more, as I grow older, that I prefer women to men, children to adults, animals to humans.... And rocks to living things? No, I'm not that old yet.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote reflects a growing preference for the simplicity and honesty of nature and youth over the complexities of adult human behavior.
Edward Abbey, in this quote, expresses a sentiment that as he ages, he increasingly values the purity and authenticity found in women, children, and animals compared to the often disappointing nature of adult human interactions. This perspective highlights a longing for innocence and simplicity amidst the challenges of adult life, implying that the complexities and often negative traits of humanity can overshadow the more genuine connections found in non-human relationships.
Themes
PreferenceNatureInnocenceAuthenticitySimplicityHumanity
In practice
Example use cases
During a speech about environmental conservation, one might use this quote to emphasize the importance of valuing nature and animals.
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.
Edward AbbeyRead
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.
Edward AbbeyRead
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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