Abandon Quote by Dorothy L. Sayers
“To the average man, life presents itself, not as material malleable to his hand, but as a series of problems...which he has to solve...And he is distressed to find that the more means he can dispose of-such as machine-power, rapid transport, and general civilized amenities, the more his problems grow in hardness and complexity…Perhaps the first thing he can learn form the artists is that the only way of 'mastering' one's material is to abandon the whole conception of mastery and to co-operate with it in love: whosoever will be a lord of life, let him be its servant.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Art of the Novel, 1935
Life is a series of increasingly complex problems that material progress cannot solve; true mastery comes from cooperating with material rather than dominating it.
In simple terms: Problems grow with progress; cooperate with material.
Key Takeaway
Embrace humility and partnership with the world.
Themes
philosophy
humility
technology
mastery
Mood
reflective
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- career planning
- technology adoption
- personal growth
- creative problem solving
Key Concepts
Complexity
cooperation
servitude
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you shift from mastering to serving your environment?
- What does “co‑operate with material in love” mean to you?
A Different Perspective
Overemphasis on material control can ignore spiritual and relational needs.
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