--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Why, if there is anything in supply and…" description: "\"“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 ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cb8/jack-london-595_cheap-things_why-if-there-is-anything-in-supply-and-d_3019648.jpg" --- # Why, if there is anything in supply and demand, life is… ![“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…” quote by Jack London](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cb8/jack-london-595_cheap-things_why-if-there-is-anything-in-supply-and-d_3019648.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cb8/jack-london-595_cheap-things_why-if-there-is-anything-in-supply-and-d_3019648.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cb8/jack-london-595_cheap-things_why-if-there-is-anything-in-supply-and-d_3019648.jpg) > ““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](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-london/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. 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. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Begging Nature](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/begging-nature-1373109/) [Cheap things](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cheap-things/) [Demand Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/demand-life-453202/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Life Cheapest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life-cheapest-4882154/) [Nature](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nature/) [Nature Spendthrift](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nature-spendthrift-4882155/) [Supply and demand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/supply-and-demand/) [Unborn Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/unborn-life-3725774/) ## Related quotes > [“We were talking about this yesterday," he said. 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One may dream, and even in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-london/as-i-my-real-self-grew-older-i-entered-more-and-more-into-the/) [Jack London](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-london/) > [A good soldier is a blind, heartless, soulless, murderous machine. He is not a man. His is not a brute, for brutes kill only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-london/a-good-soldier-is-a-blind-heartless-soulless-murderous-machine-he-is/) [Jack London](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-london/) > [I would rather be ashes than dust.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-london/i-would-rather-be-ashes-than-dust/) [Jack London](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-london/) > [“I believe that when I am dead, I am dead. I believe that with my death I am just as much obliterated as the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-london/i-believe-that-when-i-am-dead-i-am-dead-i-believe-that-with-my-death/) [Jack London](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-london/) > [“He wastes his time over his writing, trying to accomplish what geniuses and rare men with college educations sometimes accomplish.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-london/he-wastes-his-time-over-his-writing-trying-to-accomplish-what/) [Jack London](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-london/) > [“Strength is an empty shell. One cannot violate the promptings of one’s nature without having that nature recoil upon itself. 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