--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Why can't we simply borrow what is useful…" description: "\"Why can't we simply borrow what is useful to us from Buddhism, Hinduism, Taoism, especially Zen, as we borrow from Christianity, science, American Indi..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/98b/edward-abbey-254_american-indian_why-can-t-we-simply-borrow-what-is-usefu_2918318.png" --- # Why can't we simply borrow what is useful to us from… ![“Why can't we simply borrow what is useful to us from Buddhism, Hinduism, Taoism, especially Zen, as we borrow from Christianity, science, American Indian traditions and world literature in general, including philosophy, and let the rest go hang? Borrow what we need but rely principally upon our…” quote by Edward Abbey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/98b/edward-abbey-254_american-indian_why-can-t-we-simply-borrow-what-is-usefu_2918318.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/98b/edward-abbey-254_american-indian_why-can-t-we-simply-borrow-what-is-usefu_2918318.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/98b/edward-abbey-254_american-indian_why-can-t-we-simply-borrow-what-is-usefu_2918318.png) > “Why can't we simply borrow what is useful to us from Buddhism, Hinduism, Taoism, especially Zen, as we borrow from Christianity, science, American Indian traditions and world literature in general, including philosophy, and let the rest go hang? Borrow what we need but rely principally upon our own senses, common sense and daily living experience.” [Edward Abbey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-abbey/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. We should selectively adopt useful ideas from various traditions while relying on personal experience and common sense. **In simple terms:** Take useful ideas, trust your own senses. Key Takeaway Integrate valuable insights, stay grounded in everyday experience. Themes open‑mindedness cultural synthesis pragmatism Mood reflective inquisitive Type philosophical contemplative When to use this quote - personal decision making - cultural education - interfaith dialogue Key Concepts philosophical pluralism critical thinking Questions to Reflect On - Which teachings truly resonate with your life? - How do you balance tradition with personal experience? A Different Perspective Over‑reliance on external doctrines can dilute personal authenticity. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [American indian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/american-indian/) [Books](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/books/) [Borrow Christianity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/borrow-christianity-2993276/) [Buddhism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/buddhism/) [Christianity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christianity/) [Common](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/common/) [Common sense](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/common-sense/) [Daily living](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/daily-living/) [Hinduism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hinduism/) [Hinduism Taoism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hinduism-taoism-4239020/) [Including Philosophy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/including-philosophy-497213/) [Literature](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/literature/) [Needs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/needs/) [Philosophy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/philosophy/) [Rely](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rely/) [Taoism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/taoism/) [Tradition](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tradition/) [World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world/) [World literature](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world-literature/) [Zen Borrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/zen-borrow-4239019/) ## Related quotes > [Philosophy by showing - including philosophy in literature - does truly valuable work in leading us to new perspectives from which our arguments can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-kitcher/philosophy-by-showing-including-philosophy-in-literature-does-truly/) [Philip Kitcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-kitcher/) > [“The question is whether they can find a way out and remain what they are. 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The writer's identity is insecure because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-mcmorris/all-third-world-literature-is-about-nation-that-identity-is-the/) [Mark McMorris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-mcmorris/) > [ “Although the disappearance of the true wildwood \[in the British Isles\] occurred in the Neolithic period, before humanity began to record its own history,… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-macfarlane/although-the-disappearance-of-the-true-wildwood-in-the-british-isles/) [Robert Macfarlane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-macfarlane/) > [ “Fyodor Mikhailovich Dostoevsky (November 11 \[O.S. October 30\] 1821 – February 9 \[O.S. 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Why this cult of wilderness? Why the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-abbey/but-why-the-questioner-insists-why-do-people-like-you-pretend-to-love/) [Edward Abbey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-abbey/) > [Civilization is a youth with a molotov cocktail in his hand. Culture is the Soviet tank or L.A. cop that guns him down.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-abbey/civilization-is-a-youth-with-a-molotov-cocktail-in-his-hand-culture/) [Edward Abbey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-abbey/) > [All revolutions have failed? Perhaps. But rebellion for good cause is self- justifying -- a good in itself. Rebellion transforms slaves into human beings,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-abbey/all-revolutions-have-failed-perhaps-but-rebellion-for-good-cause-is/) [Edward Abbey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-abbey/) > [“Me, I'm living under a sword too, as Jack may have told you. 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Part Two: Say it well.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-abbey/what-is-the-essence-of-the-art-of-writing-part-one-have-something-to/) [Edward Abbey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-abbey/) [Explore all 807 Edward Abbey quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-abbey/) ## More American indian quotes > [I told my friend - we were working on a movie together - and he gave me a script and asked me to give…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karla-souza/i-told-my-friend-we-were-working-on-a-movie-together-and-he-gave-me-a/) [Karla Souza](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karla-souza/) > [Language is decanted and shared. 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