Although nature has proven season in and season out that…
““Although nature has proven season in and season out that if the thing that is planted bears at all, it will yield more of itself, there are those who seem certain that if they plant tomato seeds, at harvesttime they can reap onions. Too many times for comfort I have expected to reap good when I know I have sown evil. My lame excuse is that I have not always known that actions can only reproduce themselves, or rather, I have not always allowed myself to be aware of that knowledge. Now, after years of observation and enough courage to admit what I have observed, I try to plant peace if I do not want discord; to plant loyalty and honesty if I want to avoid betrayal and lies. Of course, there is no absolute assurance that those things I plant will always fall upon arable land and will take root and grow, nor can I know if another cultivator did not leave contrary seeds before I arrived. I do know, however, that if I leave little to chance, if I am careful about the kinds of seeds I plant, about their potency and nature, I can, within reason, trust my expectations.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Actions reproduce similar outcomes; planting positive intentions like peace and loyalty can yield similar results, though external factors and unknown influences limit certainty.
In simple terms: Good deeds tend to bring good results; plant positive intentions.
Key Takeaway
Act with awareness of the moral impact of your actions.
Themes
morality
cause and effect
intentionality
uncertainty
Mood
thoughtful
hopeful
Type
ethical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- Personal relationships
- leadership decisions
- community building
- policy making
Key Concepts
Moral causality
seed metaphor
personal responsibility
Questions to Reflect On
- What seeds are you planting today?
- How do you handle unexpected negative outcomes?
A Different Perspective
Outcomes also depend on others' actions and unpredictable circumstances.