A rancher is a farmer who farms the public lands with a herd of four-legged lawn mowers. Edward Abbey More Quotes by Edward Abbey More Quotes From Edward Abbey Defiance is beautiful. The defiance of power, especially great or overwhelming power, exalts and glorifies the rebel. Edward Abbey defiancerebelbeautiful 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 Abbey common-sensebuddhismphilosophy Nature is indifferent to our love, but never unfaithful. Edward Abbey unfaithfulour-lovenature This world may be only illusion -- but it's the only illusion we've got. Edward Abbey illusionmayworld Say what you like about my bloody murderous government,' I says, 'but don't insult me poor bleedin' country. Edward Abbey libertygovernmentcountry Be loyal to what you love, be true to the earth, fight your enemies with passion and laughter. Edward Abbey laughtermarriagelove Instant communication is not communication at all but merely a frantic, trivial, nerve-wracking bombardment of cliches, threats, fads, fashions, gibberish and advertising. Edward Abbey nervesfashioncommunication I am pleased enough with the surfaces - in fact they alone seem to me to be of much importance. Such things for example as the grasp of a child's hand in your own, the flavor of an apple, the embrace of a friend or lover, the silk of a girl's thigh, the sunlight on the rock and leaves, the feel of music, the bark of a tree, the abrasion of granite and sand, the plunge of clear water into a pool, the face of the wind - what else is there? What else do we need? Edward Abbey girlchildrenhands Science transcends mere politics. As recent history demonstrates, scientists are as willing to work for a Tojo, a Hitler, or a Stalin as for the free nations of the West. Edward Abbey scientistwillingwest When the philosopher's argument becomes tedious, complicated, and opaque, it is usually a sign that he is attempting to prove as true to the intellect what is plainly false to common sense. Edward Abbey common-senseatheismfear Life is unfair. And it's not fair that life is unfair. Edward Abbey fairsunfairlife-is I would like to evoke the sense of wonder and magic in the reader but without invoking the mystical, the supernatural or the transcendent. Edward Abbey evokemagicwonder What is the purpose of the giant sequoia tree? The purpose of the giant sequoia tree is to provide shade for the tiny titmouse. Edward Abbey giantstreeinspirational A man's duty? To be ready -- with rifle or rood -- to defend his home when the showdown comes. Edward Abbey rifleshomemen My own ambition, my deepest and truest ambition, is to find within myself someday, somehow, the ability to do likewise, to do NOTHING - and find it enough. Edward Abbey somedayambitionenough As between the skulking and furtive poacher, who hunts for the sake of meat, and the honest gentleman shooter, who kills for the pleasure of sport, I find the former a higher type of humanity. Edward Abbey gentlemanhumanitysports Where all think alike there is little danger of innovation. Edward Abbey thought-provokinginnovationthinking Charity should be spontaneous. Calculated altruism is an affront. Edward Abbey spontaneousaffrontcharity The tragedy of modern war is that the young men die fighting each other - instead of their real enemies back home in the capitals. Edward Abbey realwarpeace The city itself swung slowly toward us silent as a dream. No sign of life but puffs of steam from skyscraper chimneys, the motion of the traffic. The mighty towers stood like tombstones in a graveyard, leaning against the sky and waiting for -- for what? Someday we'll know. Edward Abbey tombstonedreamsky
