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Strong enough Quote by Daniel Defoe

“was to prepare more land, for I had now seed enough to sow above an acre of ground. Before I did this, I had a week's work at least to make me a spade, which, when it was done, was but a sorry one indeed, and very heavy, and required double labour to work with it. However, I got through that, and…” quote by Daniel Defoe
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““was to prepare more land, for I had now seed enough to sow above an acre of ground. Before I did this, I had a week's work at least to make me a spade, which, when it was done, was but a sorry one indeed, and very heavy, and required double labour to work with it. However, I got through that, and sowed my seed in two large flat pieces of ground, as near my house as I could find them to my mind, and fenced them in with a good hedge, the stakes of which were all cut off that wood which I had set before, and knew it would grow; so that, in a year's time, I knew I should have a quick or living hedge, that would want but little repair. This work did not take me up less than three months, because a great part of that time was the wet season, when I could not go abroad. Within-doors, that is when it rained and I could not go out, I found employment in the following occupations - always observing, that all the while I was at work I diverted myself with talking to my parrot, and teaching him to speak; and I quickly taught him to know his own name, and at last to speak it out pretty loud, “Poll,” which was the first word I ever heard spoken in the island by any mouth but my own. This, therefore, was not my work, but an assistance to my work; for now, as I said, I had a great employment upon my hands, as follows: I had long studied to make, by some means or other, some earthen vessels, which, indeed, I wanted sorely, but knew not where to come at them. However, considering the heat of the climate, I did not doubt but if I could find out any clay, I might make some pots that might, being dried in the sun, be hard enough and strong enough to bear handling, and to hold anything that was dry, and required to be kept so; and as this was necessary in the preparing corn, meal, &c., which was the thing I was doing, I resolved””

Daniel Defoe

About This Quote

A narrator recounts laborious agricultural work, the challenges of weather, and a side project teaching a parrot to speak, illustrating perseverance and ingenuity in a harsh environment.

In simple terms: Hard work, weather, and a talking parrot.

Key Takeaway

Resourcefulness sustains productivity under constraints.

Themes

labor agriculture innovation nature perseverance

Mood

reflective determined

Type

personal narrative historical anecdote

When to use this quote

  • farming in seasonal climates
  • learning new skills while working
  • using animals for companionship during labor

Key Concepts

adaptation to climate multitasking

Practical Applications

  • plan tasks around weather patterns
  • integrate small, morale‑boosting activities into routine work

Questions to Reflect On

  • What small joys can offset the monotony of hard labor?
  • How does multitasking affect efficiency in demanding environments?
A Different Perspective

The anecdote romanticizes hardship; modern contexts may require mechanization rather than manual labor.

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