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Soon the people will decide that they want their land to…

“Soon the people will decide that they want their land to be a part of today's monstrous world, and once that happens, it will be all over. As soon as you have that desire, you are infected with the deadly virus, and you begin to show the symptoms of the disease. You live in terms of time and…” quote by Paul Bowles
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““Soon the people will decide that they want their land to be a part of today's monstrous world, and once that happens, it will be all over. As soon as you have that desire, you are infected with the deadly virus, and you begin to show the symptoms of the disease. You live in terms of time and money, and you think in terms of society and progress. Then all that is left for you is to kill the other people who think the same way, along with a good many of those who do not, since that is the final manifestation of the malady.””

Paul Bowles

About This Quote

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

Desire for material progress can corrupt humanity, leading to conflict and moral decay.

In simple terms: Pursuing progress blindly harms society.

Key Takeaway

Seek balanced values over blind growth.

Themes

progress materialism morality conflict

Mood

cautionary thought‑provoking

Type

philosophical critical.

When to use this quote

  • political activism
  • environmental policy
  • corporate culture
  • personal ambition

Key Concepts

philosophy social critique ethics

Questions to Reflect On

  • What values should guide societal advancement?
  • How can individuals resist harmful collective desires?
A Different Perspective

Not all progress is negative; context matters.

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