I don't know what it is about fecundity that so appalls. I…
““I don't know what it is about fecundity that so appalls. I suppose it is the teeming evidence that birth and growth, which we value, are ubiquitous and blind, that life itself is so astonshingly cheap, that nature is as careless as it is bountiful, and that with extravagence goes a crushing waste that will one day include our own cheap lives, Henle's loops and all. Every glistening egg is a memento mori.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Life’s abundance makes each existence seem cheap, highlighting waste and the inevitability of death.
In simple terms: Abundance can cheapen life’s value.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and respect life's fragility.
Themes
mortality
abundance
environment
waste
humility
Mood
thoughtful
somber
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- agricultural policy
- population planning
- personal reflection
- environmental activism
Key Concepts
existentialism
eco‑ethics
Memento mori
Questions to Reflect On
- What does it mean to value life amid abundance?
- How can we honor each life without causing waste?
A Different Perspective
Cheapening life may ignore cultural and personal meanings of birth.