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Cheap things Quote by Jack London

“We were talking about this yesterday," he said. "I held that life was a ferment, a yeasty something which devoured life that it might live, and that living was merely successful piggishness. Why, if there is anything in supply and demand, life is the cheapest thing in the world. There is only so…” quote by Jack London
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““We were talking about this yesterday," he said. "I held that life was a ferment, a yeasty something which devoured life that it might live, and that living was merely successful piggishness. Why, if there is anything in supply and demand, life is the cheapest thing in the world. There is only so much water, so much earth, so much air; but the life that is demanding to be born is limitless. Nature is a spendthrift. Look at the fish and their millions of eggs. For that matter, look at you and me. In our loins are the possibilities of millions of lives. Could we but find time and opportunity and utilize the last bit and every bit of the unborn life that is in us, we could become the fathers of nations and populate continents. Life? Bah! It has no value. Of cheap things it is the cheapest. Everywhere it goes begging. Nature spills it out with a lavish hand. Where there is room for one life, she sows a thousand lives, and it's life eats life till the strongest and most piggish life is left.””

Jack London

About This Quote

Source Novel: "The Sea-Wolf", 1904

Life is portrayed as abundant yet cheap, driven by survival and competition.

In simple terms: Life is abundant but cheap, driven by survival.

Key Takeaway

Recognize life's value beyond survival.

Themes

philosophy survival nature

Mood

critical philosophical

Type

literary reflective

When to use this quote

  • resource management
  • population studies
  • ethical debates

Key Concepts

economics existentialism competition

Questions to Reflect On

  • What makes life valuable beyond utility?
  • How should society balance abundance and dignity?
A Different Perspective

May ignore moral value of individual life.

5.0 out of 5 (7 ratings)

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