It may be shocking to some people in this country to realize that, without meaning to do so, they hold views in common with Hitler when they preach discrimination against other religious, racial or economic groups.
People in cities may forget the soil for as long as a hundred years, but Mother Nature's memory is long and she will not let them forget indefinitely.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote highlights the long-lasting connection between nature and humanity, suggesting that even if people forget their roots, nature will always remind them of their importance.
Henry A. Wallace's quote reflects on the relationship between urbanization and nature, emphasizing that while individuals in cities might detach from their agricultural origins and the earth itself for generations, the essence and memory of nature persist. This persistence can manifest in various forms, such as environmental changes, natural disasters, or simply the cycles of life that serve as reminders of our dependence on the natural world. It implies that no matter how far society evolves or how quickly it forgets its roots, nature has a way of reestablishing this connection.
Themes
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used in a speech about environmental conservation.
More from Henry A. Wallace
All quotes βThey are patriotic in time of war because it is to their interest to be so, but in time of peace they follow power and the dollar wherever they may lead.
During the next four years...unless drastic steps are taken by Congress, the U.S. will have nearly 8,000,000 unemployed and will stand on the brink of a deep depression.
American fascism will not be really dangerous until there is a purposeful coalition among the cartelists, the deliberate poisoners of public information, and those who stand for the K.K.K. type of demagoguery.
Fascism is a worldwide disease. Its greatest threat to the United States will come after the war, either via Latin America or within the United States itself.
A fascist is one whose lust for money or power is combined with such an intensity of intolerance toward those of other races, parties, classes, religions, cultures, regions or nations as to make him ruthless in his use of deceit or violence to attain his ends.
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