The corporate farmer is the absent farmer, the stranger on…
““The corporate farmer is the absent farmer, the stranger on his own property, too important to worry about little details like whether a pig has room to turn or straw to sleep on. He is our modern hireling, too busy with bigger business than the care of his own animals, and we were warned about him long ago: The hired hand—who is no shepherd nor owner of the sheep— catches sight of the wolf coming and runs away, leaving the sheep to be snatched and scattered by the wolf. That is because he works for pay; he has no concern for the sheep.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Neglecting details leads to loss of responsibility and trust; hiring for profit can erode care for what one oversees.
In simple terms: Neglect leads to loss.
Key Takeaway
Prioritize care over profit.
Themes
responsibility
trust
leadership
ethics
Mood
concern
critical
reflective
Type
advice
philosophical
When to use this quote
- business management
- farm operations
- animal welfare
- team oversight
Key Concepts
stewardship
accountability
moral hazard
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you balance profit and stewardship?
- What safeguards prevent neglect?
A Different Perspective
Profit motive can conflict with ethical duty.