Skip to content

There is only one home to the life of a river-mussel…

“There is only one home to the life of a river-mussel; there is only one home to the life of a tortoise; there is only one shell to the soul of man: there is only one world to the spirit of our race. If that world leaves its course and smashes on boulders of the great void, whose world will give us…” quote by Wole Soyinka
Download Open image
“There is only one home to the life of a river-mussel; there is only one home to the life of a tortoise; there is only one shell to the soul of man: there is only one world to the spirit of our race. If that world leaves its course and smashes on boulders of the great void, whose world will give us shelter?”

Wole Soyinka

About This Quote

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

Human existence mirrors a river’s single home; disruption threatens shelter, highlighting our dependence on a shared world.

In simple terms: One world, shared destiny.

Key Takeaway

Protect our common home.

Themes

environment interdependence spirituality

Mood

urgent reflective

Type

environmental philosophical

When to use this quote

  • activism
  • education
  • policy making
  • community building

Key Concepts

philosophy ecology

Questions to Reflect On

  • How can we foster collective responsibility?
  • What actions safeguard our shared future?
A Different Perspective

Resistance to change is strong.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet

More by Wole Soyinka

Explore all 225 Wole Soyinka quotes

More Boulders quotes

Browse all 99 Boulders quotes