--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Is there something in trade that…" description: "\"Is there something in trade that desiccates and flattens out, that turns men into dried leaves at the age of forty? Certainly there is. It is not due t..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/82e/john-jay-chapman-14061_age_is-there-something-in-trade-that-desicca_150673.png" --- # Is there something in trade that desiccates and flattens… ![“Is there something in trade that desiccates and flattens out, that turns men into dried leaves at the age of forty? Certainly there is. It is not due to trade but to intensity of self-seeking, combined with narrowness of occupation. Business has destroyed the very knowledge in us of all other…” quote by John Jay Chapman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/82e/john-jay-chapman-14061_age_is-there-something-in-trade-that-desicca_150673.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/82e/john-jay-chapman-14061_age_is-there-something-in-trade-that-desicca_150673.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/82e/john-jay-chapman-14061_age_is-there-something-in-trade-that-desicca_150673.png) > “Is there something in trade that desiccates and flattens out, that turns men into dried leaves at the age of forty? Certainly there is. It is not due to trade but to intensity of self-seeking, combined with narrowness of occupation. Business has destroyed the very knowledge in us of all other natural forces except business.” [John Jay Chapman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-jay-chapman/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Argues that intense self‑interest and narrow occupations, not trade, cause people to become desiccated and flattened by middle age. **In simple terms:** Self‑interest and narrow work flatten people, not trade. Key Takeaway Seek diverse interests and broader engagement. Themes work self‑interest trade personal growth Mood thoughtful motivational Type reflective self‑help When to use this quote - midlife - professional fulfillment - personal development Key Concepts psychology career development Questions to Reflect On - What activities keep you energized? - How can you broaden your professional scope? A Different Perspective Economic forces also impact well‑being. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Age](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/age/) [Destroyed Knowledge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/destroyed-knowledge-965651/) [Force](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/force/) [Forty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/forty/) [Intensity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/intensity/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Men Dried](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men-dried-1677101/) [Natural](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/natural/) [Occupation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/occupation/) [Occupation Business](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/occupation-business-1677100/) [Self](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self/) [Self Seeking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self-seeking-746334/) [Trade](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/trade/) [Trade Desiccates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/trade-desiccates-1677099/) [Turns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/turns/) ## Related quotes > [“Haven't I heard of men more dried up than he is, being brought all the way from Egypt in cases covered with pictures?" 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