--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We live on this very small and fragile…" description: "\"We live on this very small and fragile planet: a world in which there is poverty and injustice is never going to be a safe and secure world\" — Hilary Benn" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3c5/hilary-benn-12095_fragile_we-live-on-this-very-small-and-fragile-p_1280180.jpg" --- # We live on this very small and fragile planet: a world in… ![“We live on this very small and fragile planet: a world in which there is poverty and injustice is never going to be a safe and secure world” quote by Hilary Benn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3c5/hilary-benn-12095_fragile_we-live-on-this-very-small-and-fragile-p_1280180.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3c5/hilary-benn-12095_fragile_we-live-on-this-very-small-and-fragile-p_1280180.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3c5/hilary-benn-12095_fragile_we-live-on-this-very-small-and-fragile-p_1280180.jpg) > “We live on this very small and fragile planet: a world in which there is poverty and injustice is never going to be a safe and secure world” [Hilary Benn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hilary-benn/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Planetary fragility and injustice threaten security; collective action is essential. **In simple terms:** Our world is fragile and unfair, needing cooperation. Key Takeaway Act together for justice and sustainability. Themes environment justice security Mood concerned determined Type political activational When to use this quote - policy making - activism - education - international cooperation Key Concepts politics ethics Questions to Reflect On - What steps can you take locally to address injustice? - How can you influence broader policy? A Different Perspective Economic interests often hinder equitable solutions. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Fragile](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fragile/) [Future](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/future/) [Injustice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/injustice/) [Justice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/justice/) [Poverty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/poverty/) [Sustainable development](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sustainable-development/) [Vision](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/vision/) [World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world/) [World poverty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world-poverty/) ## Related quotes > [It is dangerous to live in a secure world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/teju-cole/it-is-dangerous-to-live-in-a-secure-world/) [Teju Cole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/teju-cole/) > [Nagasaki is not just an international city with a long and fascinating history. It is a global inspiration for all those who seek to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antonio-guterres/nagasaki-is-not-just-an-international-city-with-a-long-and/) [Antonio Guterres](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antonio-guterres/) > [In the late '90s, I spent a lot of time on reservations, and there was a level of poverty and injustice that I had…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taylor-sheridan/in-the-late-90s-i-spent-a-lot-of-time-on-reservations-and-there-was-a/) [Taylor Sheridan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taylor-sheridan/) > [To tackle the underlying roots of violence and conflict, we need a massive international effort to reduce poverty and injustice, and to promote development,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clare-short/to-tackle-the-underlying-roots-of-violence-and-conflict-we-need-a/) [Clare Short](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clare-short/) > [Poverty, the racial divide and social injustice do not impact only those who suffer most visibly. Alleviating poverty and injustice is a responsibility we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marc-morial/poverty-the-racial-divide-and-social-injustice-do-not-impact-only/) [Marc Morial](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marc-morial/) > [As long as poverty, injustice and gross inequality persist in our world, none of us can truly rest.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nelson-mandela/as-long-as-poverty-injustice-and-gross-inequality-persist-in-our/) [Nelson Mandela](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nelson-mandela/) > [We owe at least this much to future generations, from whom we have borrowed a fragile planet called Earth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maurice-strong/we-owe-at-least-this-much-to-future-generations-from-whom-we-have/) [Maurice Strong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maurice-strong/) > [Basic science provides long-term benefits for ourselves and our fragile planet and should be supported by all the world's societies.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-lee/basic-science-provides-long-term-benefits-for-ourselves-and-our/) [David Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-lee/) > [You get this overview effect where you realize how small we are and how fragile our planet is and how we're really all in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-mcclain/you-get-this-overview-effect-where-you-realize-how-small-we-are-and/) [Anne McClain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-mcclain/) > [Take good care of our fragile planet.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kalpana-chawla/take-good-care-of-our-fragile-planet/) [Kalpana Chawla](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kalpana-chawla/) > [“Our fragile planet cannot tolerate a growing population of affluent consumers. Technology and “free markets” will not save us. We cannot wait for governments…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/our-fragile-planet-cannot-tolerate-a-growing-population-of-affluent/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [In 1966 Rolf Edberg wrote "This is mankind's home", "in the narrow borderland between the deathly heat beneath our feet and the coldness of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margot-wallstrom/in-1966-rolf-edberg-wrote-this-is-mankind-s-home-in-the-narrow/) [Margot Wallstrom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margot-wallstrom/) > [This is the new politics. Personal responsibility. Not leaving it to others. I am my planet's keeper.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hilary-benn/this-is-the-new-politics-personal-responsibility-not-leaving-it-to/) [Hilary Benn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hilary-benn/) > [The greatest of evils and the worst of crimes is poverty.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-bernard-shaw/the-greatest-of-evils-and-the-worst-of-crimes-is-poverty/) [George Bernard Shaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-bernard-shaw/) > [Because there is global insecurity, nations are engaged in a mad arms race, spending billions of dollars wastefully on instruments of destruction, when millions…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/desmond-tutu/because-there-is-global-insecurity-nations-are-engaged-in-a-mad-arms/) [Desmond Tutu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/desmond-tutu/) ## More by Hilary Benn > [We will need to work hard to break the cynicism, talk straight and rebuild trust in politics.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hilary-benn/we-will-need-to-work-hard-to-break-the-cynicism-talk-straight-and/) [Hilary Benn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hilary-benn/) > [And being in the EU has given Britain a stronger voice in the world. Britain leads in Europe, from trade to climate change, from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hilary-benn/and-being-in-the-eu-has-given-britain-a-stronger-voice-in-the-world/) [Hilary Benn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hilary-benn/) > [The Tories claim that they have changed. Their stance on foxhunting makes it absolutely clear that they haven't. They know the public doesn't agree…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hilary-benn/the-tories-claim-that-they-have-changed-their-stance-on-foxhunting/) [Hilary Benn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hilary-benn/) > [The problem is that the global arms trade is entirely free of international regulation. In a world in which the flow of consumer goods…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hilary-benn/the-problem-is-that-the-global-arms-trade-is-entirely-free-of/) [Hilary Benn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hilary-benn/) > [When it comes to whether Britain should remain in the European Union, almost all political parties and traditions - Labour, the Greens, Liberal Democrats,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hilary-benn/when-it-comes-to-whether-britain-should-remain-in-the-european-union/) [Hilary Benn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hilary-benn/) > [The thing that worries me more than anything else is losing faith in the capacity of politics to change things. I don't mean scepticism,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hilary-benn/the-thing-that-worries-me-more-than-anything-else-is-losing-faith-in/) [Hilary Benn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hilary-benn/) > [When it comes to jobs, investment, growth, security and our influence in the world we are clearly stronger in Europe. But we are also…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hilary-benn/when-it-comes-to-jobs-investment-growth-security-and-our-influence-in/) [Hilary Benn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hilary-benn/) > [In short, corruption destroys the 'deal' - the bargain - between the citizen and the state; and it harms the poorest most.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hilary-benn/in-short-corruption-destroys-the-deal-the-bargain-between-the-citizen/) [Hilary Benn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hilary-benn/) > [I spent 20 years working for the trade union movement before becoming a Labour MP. I'm proud to have done both jobs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hilary-benn/i-spent-20-years-working-for-the-trade-union-movement-before-becoming/) [Hilary Benn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hilary-benn/) > [I'm really keen to see a Labour government because there are many things to be done, not least pursuing a sensible Brexit and not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hilary-benn/i-m-really-keen-to-see-a-labour-government-because-there-are-many/) [Hilary Benn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hilary-benn/) > [All countries will feel the increasing effects of dangerous climate change and it is those least able to bear it who are already being…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hilary-benn/all-countries-will-feel-the-increasing-effects-of-dangerous-climate/) [Hilary Benn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hilary-benn/) > [As each tree falls so does the earth's ability to heal itself and to adapt to the effects of our changing climate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hilary-benn/as-each-tree-falls-so-does-the-earth-s-ability-to-heal-itself-and-to/) [Hilary Benn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hilary-benn/) > [The poorest still deserve help with life's basic necessities regardless of the quality of their government.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hilary-benn/the-poorest-still-deserve-help-with-life-s-basic-necessities/) [Hilary Benn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hilary-benn/) > [We must not ignore the younger electorate in a fight for older swing voters who we can be confident will go to the polls.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hilary-benn/we-must-not-ignore-the-younger-electorate-in-a-fight-for-older-swing/) [Hilary Benn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hilary-benn/) > [People who feel alienated have little trust in the institutions of our society. This adds to the wider sense of disaffection and makes it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hilary-benn/people-who-feel-alienated-have-little-trust-in-the-institutions-of/) [Hilary Benn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hilary-benn/) [Explore all 56 Hilary Benn quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hilary-benn/) ## More Fragile quotes > [Love is like that, fragile and light. No wonder it rests upon our hearts in intangible moments, bids us follow fleeting thoughts and ideas…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/love-is-like-that-fragile-and-light-no-wonder-it-rests-upon-our/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Mortals are such fragile things. Just tender feelings walking around exposed in their delicate shells...Easy to crush.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melissa-marr/mortals-are-such-fragile-things-just-tender-feelings-walking-around/) [Melissa Marr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melissa-marr/) > [When you see how fragile and delicate life can be, all else fades into the background.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jenna-morasca/when-you-see-how-fragile-and-delicate-life-can-be-all-else-fades-into/) [Jenna Morasca](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jenna-morasca/) > [The foundations of our lives are far more fragile than we think. So we are severely shaken when life turns out to have a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susanne-bier/the-foundations-of-our-lives-are-far-more-fragile-than-we-think-so-we/) [Susanne Bier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susanne-bier/) > [I hope the day will come when a wasp-waist and a pair of thin shoulders will not be esteemed beauty: we have had our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julia-mcnair-wright/i-hope-the-day-will-come-when-a-wasp-waist-and-a-pair-of-thin/) [Julia McNair Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julia-mcnair-wright/) > [“Hearts were beautifully fierce yet fragile things.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kerri-maniscalco/hearts-were-beautifully-fierce-yet-fragile-things/) [Kerri Maniscalco](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kerri-maniscalco/) > [True, the fragile bodies of his fellows do not weigh down his plane; true, the fretful minds of weaker men are missing from his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-lindbergh/true-the-fragile-bodies-of-his-fellows-do-not-weigh-down-his-plane/) [Charles Lindbergh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-lindbergh/) > [Over and over, we hear politicians say they can't spend our tax dollars on environmental protection when the economy is so fragile.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-suzuki/over-and-over-we-hear-politicians-say-they-can-t-spend-our-tax/) [David Suzuki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-suzuki/) > [There are plenty of people who don't want change - the Labour Party, some of their militant trade union friends like Unite busy causing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-osborne/there-are-plenty-of-people-who-don-t-want-change-the-labour-party/) [George Osborne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-osborne/) > [Life is fragile, like the dew hanging delicately on the grass, crystal drops that will be carried away on the first morning breeze.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dilgo-khyentse-rinpoche/life-is-fragile-like-the-dew-hanging-delicately-on-the-grass-crystal/) [Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dilgo-khyentse-rinpoche/) > [A fragile painting left without a scenery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/a-fragile-painting-left-without-a-scenery/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Love is fragile. Break it and you will find great difficulties.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/love-is-fragile-break-it-and-you-will-find-great-difficulties/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I don't use a hairdryer when it's not necessary; I try to look after my fragile hair.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sasha-pivovarova/i-don-t-use-a-hairdryer-when-it-s-not-necessary-i-try-to-look-after/) [Sasha Pivovarova](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sasha-pivovarova/) > [There is cruelty in divorce. There is cruelty in forced or unfortunate marriage. We will continue to cry at weddings because we know how…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-roiphe/there-is-cruelty-in-divorce-there-is-cruelty-in-forced-or-unfortunate/) [Anne Roiphe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-roiphe/) > [Democracy is not a fragile flower; still it needs cultivating.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/democracy-is-not-a-fragile-flower-still-it-needs-cultivating/) [Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/) [Browse all 1,004 Fragile quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fragile/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "We live on this very small and fragile planet: a world in which there is poverty and injustice is never going to be a safe and secure world", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Hilary Benn" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hilary-benn/we-live-on-this-very-small-and-fragile-planet-a-world-in-which-there/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Fragile" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hilary-benn/we-live-on-this-very-small-and-fragile-planet-a-world-in-which-there/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3c5/hilary-benn-12095_fragile_we-live-on-this-very-small-and-fragile-p_1280180.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3c5/hilary-benn-12095_fragile_we-live-on-this-very-small-and-fragile-p_1280180.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3c5/hilary-benn-12095_fragile_we-live-on-this-very-small-and-fragile-p_1280180.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“We live on this very small and fragile planet: a world in which there is poverty and injustice is never…” — Hilary Benn", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Hilary Benn", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hilary-benn/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "We live on this very small...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hilary-benn/we-live-on-this-very-small-and-fragile-planet-a-world-in-which-there/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hilary-benn/we-live-on-this-very-small-and-fragile-planet-a-world-in-which-there/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```