Cheap things Quote by Jack London
““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.””
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Sea-Wolf, 1904 (paraphrased)
London argues that life, abundant and cheap in nature, is undervalued by humans, suggesting that the limitless potential of life can be harnessed if we recognize its abundance.
In simple terms: Life is abundant and often taken for granted.
Key Takeaway
Recognize life’s value, use it wisely.
Themes
nature
abundance
existentialism
Mood
thoughtful
critical
Type
ethical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- environmental policy
- family planning
- ethical debates
- philosophical inquiry
- sustainability
Key Concepts
population dynamics
resource scarcity
human potential
Questions to Reflect On
- What responsibilities come with abundant life?
- How should societies balance growth and ethics?
A Different Perspective
The view may overlook individual suffering and ethical limits of using life as a resource.
