Bones Quote by Barbara Kingsolver
“We aimed for no more than to have dominion over every creature that moved upon the earth. And so it came to pass that we stepped down there on a place we believed unformed, where only darkness moved on the face of the waters. Now you laugh, day and night, while you gnaw on my bones. But what else could we have thought? Only that it began and ended with us. What do we know, even now? Ask the children. Look at what they grew up to be. We can only speak of the things we carried with us, and the things we took away.”
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Poisonwood Bible, 1998
The passage reflects on humanity’s hubris, our impact on nature, and the loss of innocence, urging us to listen to future generations.
In simple terms: Human pride harms Earth; listen to children.
Key Takeaway
Respect nature and learn from youth.
Themes
environment
humility
generational wisdom
Mood
reflective
somber
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- environmental activism
- education reform
- intergenerational dialogue
- conservation projects
Key Concepts
ecology
mythology
ethical responsibility
Questions to Reflect On
- What can children teach us about sustainability?
- How do we balance progress with humility?
A Different Perspective
It may romanticize the past and ignore complex causes.
