--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Is a park any better than a coal mine?…" description: "\"Is a park any better than a coal mine? What's a mountain got that a slag pile hasn't? What would you rather have in your garden--an almond tree or an o..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b7b/jean-giraudoux-7998_almonds_is-a-park-any-better-than-a-coal-mine-wh_619176.jpg" --- # Is a park any better than a coal mine? What's a mountain… ![“Is a park any better than a coal mine? What's a mountain got that a slag pile hasn't? What would you rather have in your garden--an almond tree or an oil well?” quote by Jean Giraudoux](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b7b/jean-giraudoux-7998_almonds_is-a-park-any-better-than-a-coal-mine-wh_619176.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b7b/jean-giraudoux-7998_almonds_is-a-park-any-better-than-a-coal-mine-wh_619176.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b7b/jean-giraudoux-7998_almonds_is-a-park-any-better-than-a-coal-mine-wh_619176.jpg) > “Is a park any better than a coal mine? What's a mountain got that a slag pile hasn't? What would you rather have in your garden--an almond tree or an oil well?” [Jean Giraudoux](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-giraudoux/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. It questions whether natural beauty or industrial extraction is more valuable, highlighting environmental trade‑offs. **In simple terms:** Nature vs industry choices. Key Takeaway Consider the true cost of progress. Themes environment ethics economics Mood reflective critical Type philosophical provocative When to use this quote - urban planning - energy policy - personal gardening - landscape design Key Concepts sustainability resource allocation Questions to Reflect On - What does your garden say about your values? - How do you balance profit and planet? A Different Perspective Industrial benefits often ignore long‑term ecological damage. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Environment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/environment/) [Environmental](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/environmental/) [Garden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/garden/) [Slag](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/slag/) [Stewardship](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stewardship/) [Tree](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tree/) ## Related quotes > [There's no question that natural gas is a lot better than coal or oil, in the sense that natural gas produces less carbon per…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katharine-hayhoe/there-s-no-question-that-natural-gas-is-a-lot-better-than-coal-or-oil/) [Katharine Hayhoe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katharine-hayhoe/) > [First of all, the idea that natural gas is better than coal is a lie, especially when it comes to fracking for natural gas.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-fox/first-of-all-the-idea-that-natural-gas-is-better-than-coal-is-a-lie/) [Josh Fox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-fox/) > [The cross stands as the final symbol that no evil exists that God cannot turn into a blessing. He is the living Alchemist who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-marshall/the-cross-stands-as-the-final-symbol-that-no-evil-exists-that-god/) [Catherine Marshall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-marshall/) > [“In God's economy, nothing is slag, nothing is wasted. Every relationship we build is a teacher, every experience we have is a coach. In…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/toni-sorenson/in-god-s-economy-nothing-is-slag-nothing-is-wasted-every-relationship/) [Toni Sorenson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/toni-sorenson/) > [It's hard for me to believe that just my words on the page are enough. I ought to be out physically keeping abortion safe…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sara-paretsky/it-s-hard-for-me-to-believe-that-just-my-words-on-the-page-are-enough/) [Sara Paretsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sara-paretsky/) > [I don't buy into you're on the slag heap when you're 40 or 50 or 60 or 70 or whatever.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-collins/i-don-t-buy-into-you-re-on-the-slag-heap-when-you-re-40-or-50-or-60/) [Joan Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-collins/) > [Vegetarianism is not implicitly important for the mental progress or the intellectual development, unless it is supposed to be a remedy to clean the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franz-bardon/vegetarianism-is-not-implicitly-important-for-the-mental-progress-or/) [Franz Bardon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franz-bardon/) > [England's not a bad country? It's just a mean, cold, ugly, divided, tired, clapped-out, post-imperial, post- industrial slag-heap covered in polystyrene hamburger cartons. 286](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-drabble/england-s-not-a-bad-country-it-s-just-a-mean-cold-ugly-divided-tired/) [Margaret Drabble](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-drabble/) > [Look at me!’ I screeched. ‘Look at me, Amadeus von Linden, you sadistic hypocrite, and watch this time! You’re not questioning me now, this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-wein/look-at-me-i-screeched-look-at-me-amadeus-von-linden-you-sadistic/) [Elizabeth Wein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-wein/) > [I'm just a flirt er no your just a slag](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mace-keen/i-m-just-a-flirt-er-no-your-just-a-slag/) Mace Keen > [The essence of capitalism is to turn nature into commodities and commodities into capital. The live green earth is transformed into dead gold bricks,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-parenti/the-essence-of-capitalism-is-to-turn-nature-into-commodities-and/) [Michael Parenti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-parenti/) > [“Just got called a slag by two guys sitting outside the University of York library. A slag for books?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-bates/just-got-called-a-slag-by-two-guys-sitting-outside-the-university-of/) [Laura Bates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-bates/) > [It's really important to say this. Often the faith schools were founded before the state provided education. I want good education in this country…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-miliband/it-s-really-important-to-say-this-often-the-faith-schools-were/) [Ed Miliband](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-miliband/) > [Your sexi and you know it? NO! Youur a slag and you blow it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/your-sexi-and-you-know-it-no-youur-a-slag-and-you-blow-it/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [In her final months Princess Diana was being shat upon by the tabloids -- basically for sleeping with an Arab. When she died, these…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-amis/in-her-final-months-princess-diana-was-being-shat-upon-by-the/) [Martin Amis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-amis/) ## More by Jean Giraudoux > [Sadness flies on the wings of the morning, and out of the heart of darkness comes the light.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-giraudoux/sadness-flies-on-the-wings-of-the-morning-and-out-of-the-heart-of/) [Jean Giraudoux](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-giraudoux/) > [To seek out in a world full of joy the one thing that is certain to give you pain, and hug it to your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-giraudoux/to-seek-out-in-a-world-full-of-joy-the-one-thing-that-is-certain-to/) [Jean Giraudoux](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-giraudoux/) > [When a grown man reaches forty, we change him for an old one. He has completely disappeared. There's only the most superficial resemblance between…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-giraudoux/when-a-grown-man-reaches-forty-we-change-him-for-an-old-one-he-has/) [Jean Giraudoux](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-giraudoux/) > [There is an invisible garment woven around us from our earliest years; it is made of the way we eat, the way we walk,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-giraudoux/there-is-an-invisible-garment-woven-around-us-from-our-earliest-years/) [Jean Giraudoux](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-giraudoux/) > [A wife loves out of duty, and duty leads to constraint, and constraint kills desire.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-giraudoux/a-wife-loves-out-of-duty-and-duty-leads-to-constraint-and-constraint/) [Jean Giraudoux](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-giraudoux/) > [A woman is a creature who has discovered her own nature.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-giraudoux/a-woman-is-a-creature-who-has-discovered-her-own-nature/) [Jean Giraudoux](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-giraudoux/) > [The brave men die in war. It takes great luck or judgment not to be killed. Once, at least, the head has to bow…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-giraudoux/the-brave-men-die-in-war-it-takes-great-luck-or-judgment-not-to-be/) [Jean Giraudoux](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-giraudoux/) > [As soon as war is declared it will be impossible to hold the poets back. Rhyme is still the most effective drum.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-giraudoux/as-soon-as-war-is-declared-it-will-be-impossible-to-hold-the-poets/) [Jean Giraudoux](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-giraudoux/) > [I don't like knowing about other people's feelings. There is nothing more embarrassing. Just as when you play cards and you see your opponent's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-giraudoux/i-don-t-like-knowing-about-other-people-s-feelings-there-is-nothing/) [Jean Giraudoux](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-giraudoux/) > [I'm not afraid of death. It's the stake one puts up in order to play the game of life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-giraudoux/i-m-not-afraid-of-death-it-s-the-stake-one-puts-up-in-order-to-play/) [Jean Giraudoux](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-giraudoux/) > [Ask any soldier. To kill a man is to merit a woman.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-giraudoux/ask-any-soldier-to-kill-a-man-is-to-merit-a-woman/) [Jean Giraudoux](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-giraudoux/) > [I believe in the gods; or rather I believe that I believe in the gods. But I don't believe that they are great brooding…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-giraudoux/i-believe-in-the-gods-or-rather-i-believe-that-i-believe-in-the-gods/) [Jean Giraudoux](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-giraudoux/) > [Men don't deceive their wives unless they love them. When they love them most, they deceive them. It's a form of fidelity, their deceit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-giraudoux/men-don-t-deceive-their-wives-unless-they-love-them-when-they-love/) [Jean Giraudoux](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-giraudoux/) > [Oh God, if you want women to never again raise their voices, then create an adult man!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-giraudoux/oh-god-if-you-want-women-to-never-again-raise-their-voices-then/) [Jean Giraudoux](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-giraudoux/) > [Close your eyes, all you see is yours.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-giraudoux/close-your-eyes-all-you-see-is-yours/) [Jean Giraudoux](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-giraudoux/) [Explore all 83 Jean Giraudoux quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-giraudoux/) ## More Almonds quotes > [I like to keep almonds in my pantry. I also like to keep fruit on hand, just different types depending on the season. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alison-sweeney/i-like-to-keep-almonds-in-my-pantry-i-also-like-to-keep-fruit-on-hand/) [Alison Sweeney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alison-sweeney/) > [“whose dark eyes narrowed to lightless almonds,”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-n-holmberg/whose-dark-eyes-narrowed-to-lightless-almonds/) [Charlie N. Holmberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-n-holmberg/) > [I snack on almonds and always make sure I have some with me. I hate being hungry.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-whitmore/i-snack-on-almonds-and-always-make-sure-i-have-some-with-me-i-hate/) [Laura Whitmore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-whitmore/) > [You should never eat when you're on the toilet. "But I'm lactose-intolerant, and I always wanted to enjoy a bowl of Puffins with whole…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-tosh/you-should-never-eat-when-you-re-on-the-toilet-but-i-m-lactose/) [Daniel Tosh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-tosh/) > [Everybody dies. There’s nothing you can do about it. Whether or not you eat six almonds a day. Whether or not you believe in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nora-ephron/everybody-dies-there-s-nothing-you-can-do-about-it-whether-or-not-you/) [Nora Ephron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nora-ephron/) > [ “In Spain, hilly terrain and antiquated planting and harvest practices keep farmers from retrieving more than about 100 pounds \[of almonds\] per acre. Growers… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hannah-nordhaus/in-spain-hilly-terrain-and-antiquated-planting-and-harvest-practices/) Hannah Nordhaus > [Desire, loneliness, wind in the flowering almond— surely these are the great, the inexhaustible subjects to which my predecessors apprenticed themselves. I hear them…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louise-gl-ck/desire-loneliness-wind-in-the-flowering-almond-surely-these-are-the/) [Louise Glück](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louise-gl-ck/) > [Look, one day I had gone to a little village. An old grandfather of ninety was busy planting an almond tree. ‘What, grandfather!’ I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikos-kazantzakis/look-one-day-i-had-gone-to-a-little-village-an-old-grandfather-of/) [Nikos Kazantzakis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikos-kazantzakis/) > [Mostly, I make sure to stay keenly aware of my own shortcomings so that I am more patient with others. It can be hard…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-dawn/mostly-i-make-sure-to-stay-keenly-aware-of-my-own-shortcomings-so/) [Karen Dawn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-dawn/) > [I have fond memories of consuming a handful of almonds that were soaked the previous night and peeled the next morning. All through my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sonali-bendre/i-have-fond-memories-of-consuming-a-handful-of-almonds-that-were/) [Sonali Bendre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sonali-bendre/) > [Almond blossom, sent to teach us That the spring days soon will reach us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edwin-arnold/almond-blossom-sent-to-teach-us-that-the-spring-days-soon-will-reach/) [Edwin Arnold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edwin-arnold/) > [I've been juicing lately, making different smoothies and such. It was interesting, and tough at first, but it's been doing wonders for me. I've…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brandon-spikes/i-ve-been-juicing-lately-making-different-smoothies-and-such-it-was/) [Brandon Spikes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brandon-spikes/) > [Everybody dies. There's nothing you can do about it. Whether you eat six almonds a day. Whether or not you believe in God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nora-ephron/everybody-dies-there-s-nothing-you-can-do-about-it-whether-you-eat/) [Nora Ephron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nora-ephron/) > [It was inevitable: the scent of bitter almonds always reminded him of the fate of unrequited love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gabriel-garc-a-m-rquez/it-was-inevitable-the-scent-of-bitter-almonds-always-reminded-him-of/) [Gabriel Garcia Marquez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gabriel-garc-a-m-rquez/) > [People are like, "Oh, I want to make your eyes almond." I don't have almond eyes! Why are you trying to change my eye…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miley-cyrus/people-are-like-oh-i-want-to-make-your-eyes-almond-i-don-t-have/) [Miley Cyrus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miley-cyrus/) Browse all 81 Almonds quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Is a park any better than a coal mine? What's a mountain got that a slag pile hasn't? 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