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Deep feeling Quote by John Steinbeck

“Possibly the deep feeling is that if people learn to eat one another the food supply would be so generous and so available that no one would be either safe or hungry.” quote by John Steinbeck
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““Possibly the deep feeling is that if people learn to eat one another the food supply would be so generous and so available that no one would be either safe or hungry.””

John Steinbeck

About This Quote

Source Book: The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck, 1939

The quote suggests that if humans turned on each other for survival, resources would be abundant yet insecurity would persist, making safety impossible.

In simple terms: If people ate each other, food would be plentiful but danger would remain.

Key Takeaway

Beware of competition that erodes mutual safety.

Themes

competition survival resource scarcity human nature

Mood

cautionary reflective

Type

philosophical critical warning

When to use this quote

  • war zones
  • economic crises
  • extreme scarcity
  • political oppression

Key Concepts

cannibalism paradox of abundance social contract

Questions to Reflect On

  • What does this say about the balance of competition and cooperation?
  • Can abundance ever be achieved without mutual trust?
A Different Perspective

It ignores cooperation’s role in creating true security and shared prosperity.

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