Might does not make right but it sure makes what is. 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 defiance rebel beautiful 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-sense buddhism philosophy Nature is indifferent to our love, but never unfaithful. Edward Abbey unfaithful our-love nature This world may be only illusion -- but it's the only illusion we've got. Edward Abbey illusion may world Say what you like about my bloody murderous government,' I says, 'but don't insult me poor bleedin' country. Edward Abbey liberty government country Be loyal to what you love, be true to the earth, fight your enemies with passion and laughter. Edward Abbey laughter marriage love 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 nerves fashion communication 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 girl children hands 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 scientist willing west 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-sense atheism fear Life is unfair. And it's not fair that life is unfair. Edward Abbey fairs unfair life-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 evoke magic wonder 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 giants tree inspirational A man's duty? To be ready -- with rifle or rood -- to defend his home when the showdown comes. Edward Abbey rifles home men 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 someday ambition enough 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 gentleman humanity sports Where all think alike there is little danger of innovation. Edward Abbey thought-provoking innovation thinking Charity should be spontaneous. Calculated altruism is an affront. Edward Abbey spontaneous affront charity 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 real war peace 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 tombstone dream sky
