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Everywhere we are told that our human resources are all to…

“Everywhere we are told that our human resources are all to be used, that our civilization itself means the uses of everything it has - the inventions, the histories, every scrap of fact. But there is one kind of knowledge - infinitely precious, time-resistant more than monuments, here to be passed…” quote by Muriel Rukeyser
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“Everywhere we are told that our human resources are all to be used, that our civilization itself means the uses of everything it has - the inventions, the histories, every scrap of fact. But there is one kind of knowledge - infinitely precious, time-resistant more than monuments, here to be passed between the generations in any way it may be: never to be used. And that is poetry.”

Muriel Rukeyser

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Poetry is a timeless, priceless knowledge meant to be shared, not exploited for material gain.

In simple terms: Poetry should be shared, not used.

Key Takeaway

Preserve poetry’s purity.

Themes

art knowledge timelessness generational transmission

Mood

reflective inspirational

Type

philosophical inspirational

When to use this quote

  • education
  • family storytelling
  • public readings
  • literary festivals

Key Concepts

cultural heritage non‑utilitarian value

Questions to Reflect On

  • How can we protect poetry from commodification?
  • What practices keep poetry alive across generations?
A Different Perspective

Poetry can be commercialized, losing its depth.

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