"The care of the Earth is our most ancient and most worthy, and after all, our most pleasing responsibility."
This quote emphasizes that caring for the Earth, which has been a continuous duty since the dawn of humanity, is not only essential for survival but also a noble and fulfilling task. The responsibility to preserve and protect our planet's resources is both an ancient heritage and a modern obligation. By taking care of our environment, we reconnect with our roots and find pleasure in knowing that we are contributing positively to the world.
"It may be that when we no longer know which way to go that we have come to our real journey. The mind that is not baffled is not employed."
This quote suggests that uncertainty, confusion, or 'bafflement' is an essential aspect of the human experience and journey. It implies that true understanding, growth, and progress often arise from encounters with challenging situations or questions for which we don't immediately know the answers. The quote also highlights the importance of active engagement in life, as a passive mind that always knows what to do may not be truly living, learning, or growing. In essence, the real journey lies in navigating our way through life's complexities and uncertainties.
"A good farmer is a man who departs from type and is able to adapt himself to the needs of his own particular soil, climate, and livestock."
This quote emphasizes that successful farming isn't about blindly following traditional methods, but rather adapting practices to suit specific environmental conditions such as soil, climate, and livestock. It suggests that a good farmer should be flexible and innovative, making decisions based on understanding their unique ecosystem, rather than relying solely on generic farming techniques.
"Eating is an agricultural act."
This quote by Wendell Berry suggests that every time we eat, we are participating in agriculture – a much broader concept than simply farming or cultivation. It emphasizes the connection between our dietary choices and the land, animals, and people involved in food production. By choosing what to consume, we make statements about how we want the world to be fed. It underscores the responsibility that comes with eating, as each meal impacts the environment, local communities, and animal welfare. In essence, Berry encourages us to think mindfully about our food choices and recognize their implications on agriculture and our planet.
"In Port William, when things got bad we didn't say we were in a crisis, because we knew we couldn't respond to crises. We said we were in trouble, and then we set to work."
This quote by Wendell Berry emphasizes the difference between regarding one's problems as crises or simply being in trouble. In his fictional town of Port William, people didn't use the term "crisis," because they understood that such situations require immediate extraordinary action, which they were often unprepared for. Instead, they acknowledged being in "trouble" - a more manageable state where they could take measured and deliberate actions to address their problems step by step. This mindset highlights the importance of practicality, resilience, and community cooperation during challenging times.
This, I thought, is what is meant by 'thy will be done' in the Lord's Prayer, which I had prayed time and again without thinking about it. It means that your will and God's will may not be the same. It means there's a good possibility that you won't get what you pray for. It means that in spite of your prayers you are going to suffer.
- Wendell Berry
We cannot know the whole truth, which belongs to God alone, but our task nevertheless is to seek to know what is true. And if we offend gravely enough against what we know to be true, as by failing badly enough to deal affectionately and responsibly with our land and our neighbors, truth will retaliate with ugliness, poverty, and disease.
- Wendell Berry
If I was freer than I had ever been in my life, I was not yet entirely free, for I still hung on to an idea that had been set deep in me by all my schooling so far: I was a bright boy and I ought to make something out of myself... something else that would be a cut or two above my humble origins.
- Wendell Berry
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