Old world Quote by A.E. Shaw
““Aiden was taught about the old world, the ways in which his ancestors and their nations lived. In those ‘grandest times’ it seemed Outside was valued highly, that great attention was lavished upon the sun, and the air, and movement. There were tales of people running in circles, fighting in the open air, crowds choosing to watch. He’d thought such sport nonsense, the idea of participating in vast collectives in the Outside ridiculous enough, but even the idea that one might take such a thing as ‘a walk’, that there was a better use of time than spending it with the height human accomplishment, surrounded by fine and beautiful possessions, rich jewellery and glorious illustration, with the writings of generations for comfort, had seemed purest idiocy. Imagine, he had thought, Outside having as much to offer as Inside. Imagine it having any point at all. Oh, he thought, how those people of the past placed false treasure in the powers of sun, and of sky. Oh, how they underestimated true wealth: the jewels of the earth, hewn and sculpted and sanded into glittering lumps of perfection.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Uncertain Path, 2021
Aiden learns that true wealth lies in the earth’s tangible resources, not in fleeting external achievements.
In simple terms: Real wealth is natural, not superficial.
Key Takeaway
Value tangible, lasting resources.
Themes
wealth
time
values
Mood
contemplative
critical
Type
Old world:1
Running in circles:0
True wealth:1
Use of time:0
Thought Outside:0
Human Accomplishment:0
Writings Generations:0
Aiden Taught:0
When to use this quote
- personal finance
- environmental stewardship
- education curricula
Key Concepts
philosophy
cultural critique
Questions to Reflect On
- What constitutes true wealth?
- How can societies balance material and spiritual values?
A Different Perspective
May oversimplify complex cultural values.
