Ideas are like rabbits. You get a couple and learn how to handle them, and pretty soon you have a dozen.
John SteinbeckRead
When the virus of restlessness begins to take possession of a wayward man, and the road away from Here seems broad and straight and sweet, the victim must first find himself a good and sufficient reason for going.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote emphasizes the importance of self-reflection and purpose when considering a significant change in life.
John Steinbeck's quote reflects on the human tendency to seek change when feeling restless or dissatisfied with the present. It suggests that before embarking on a new path, one must evaluate their motivations and ensure that their reasons for departure are grounded in self-awareness, rather than mere impulse. This points to the greater philosophical idea that understanding oneself is crucial in making meaningful life decisions.
Themes
RestlessnessPurposeSelf-ReflectionChangeMotivation
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used in a motivational speech about making life changes.
More from John Steinbeck
All quotes →At one point, as Samuel urges Adam to raise his boys well regardless of the blood that might be in them, Adam tells him, "You can't make a race horse of a pig." Samuel replies, "No, but you can make a very fast pig.
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And when that crop grew, and was harvested, no man had crumbled a hot clod in his fingers and let the earth sift past his fingertips. No man had touched the seed, or lusted for the growth. Men ate what they had not raised, had no connection with the bread. The land bore under iron, and under iron gradually died; for it was not loved or hated, it had no prayers or curses.
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The comfortable people in tight houses felt pity at first, and then distaste, and finally hatred for the migrant people.
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People do not want advice - they want corroboration.
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It is one of the triumphs of the human that he can know a thing and still not believe it.
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