--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We have in past been forced into…" description: "\"“We have in past been forced into reluctant change by weather, calamity, and plague. Now the pressure comes from our biologic success as a species. We ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/df9/john-steinbeck-71_change_we-have-in-past-been-forced-into-relucta_1079256.jpg" --- # We have in past been forced into reluctant change by… ![“We have in past been forced into reluctant change by weather, calamity, and plague. Now the pressure comes from our biologic success as a species. We have overcome all enemies but ourselves.” quote by John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/df9/john-steinbeck-71_change_we-have-in-past-been-forced-into-relucta_1079256.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/df9/john-steinbeck-71_change_we-have-in-past-been-forced-into-relucta_1079256.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/df9/john-steinbeck-71_change_we-have-in-past-been-forced-into-relucta_1079256.jpg) > ““We have in past been forced into reluctant change by weather, calamity, and plague. Now the pressure comes from our biologic success as a species. We have overcome all enemies but ourselves.”” [John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-steinbeck/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Human progress creates new challenges that stem from our own success, not external forces. **In simple terms:** Our achievements become the source of new problems. Key Takeaway Address self‑inflicted issues proactively. Themes environment human nature progress self‑destruction Mood reflective concerned Type analytical philosophical When to use this quote - public policy - corporate strategy - personal development - global health Key Concepts Ecology anthropocene ethical responsibility Questions to Reflect On - How can we mitigate risks of our own advancements? - What responsibilities arise from being the dominant species? A Different Perspective Solutions must balance growth with humility and foresight. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Change](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/change/) [Success](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/success/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) ## Related quotes > [Indian democracy has often been likened to the stately progress of the elephant - ponderous in its gait and reluctant to change course, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shashi-tharoor/indian-democracy-has-often-been-likened-to-the-stately-progress-of/) [Shashi Tharoor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shashi-tharoor/) > [When you are reluctant to change, think of the beauty of autumn.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/v-v-brown/when-you-are-reluctant-to-change-think-of-the-beauty-of-autumn/) [V V Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/v-v-brown/) > [ Kate \[DiCamillo\] tends to be more reluctant about change. I convinced her to give it a try and she came over. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alison-mcghee/kate-dicamillo-tends-to-be-more-reluctant-about-change-i-convinced/) [Alison McGhee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alison-mcghee/) > [We're very reluctant to change, even though we know that all things change, and especially our relationships are just determined to change.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-nolte/we-re-very-reluctant-to-change-even-though-we-know-that-all-things/) [Nick Nolte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-nolte/) > [If a wise man behaves prudently, how can he be overcome by his enemies? Even a single man, by right action, can overcome a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/if-a-wise-man-behaves-prudently-how-can-he-be-overcome-by-his-enemies/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Our Lord Christ Himself strikes down our enemies through us, or in company with us. For he who eats Christ's flesh and drinks His…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lorenzo-scupoli/our-lord-christ-himself-strikes-down-our-enemies-through-us-or-in/) [Lorenzo Scupoli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lorenzo-scupoli/) > [To overcome of our enemies we must have our own socialist militarism. We must carry along with us 90 million out of the 100…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/grigory-zinoviev/to-overcome-of-our-enemies-we-must-have-our-own-socialist-militarism/) Grigory Zinoviev > [The best soldiers are not warlike; the best fighters do not lose their temper. The greatest conquerors are those who overcome their enemies without…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/the-best-soldiers-are-not-warlike-the-best-fighters-do-not-lose-their/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [I know not how to defeat others, I only know how to win over myself. The real and most dangerous opponents we face in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-bradford/i-know-not-how-to-defeat-others-i-only-know-how-to-win-over-myself/) [Chris Bradford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-bradford/) > [Pressure comes from a lack of preparation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colin-kaepernick/pressure-comes-from-a-lack-of-preparation/) [Colin Kaepernick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colin-kaepernick/) > [For me, it's an honour to play for Ajax and deal with the pressure that comes with it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthijs-de-ligt/for-me-it-s-an-honour-to-play-for-ajax-and-deal-with-the-pressure/) [Matthijs de Ligt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthijs-de-ligt/) > [I think being world number one and world champion, pressure comes with that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judd-trump/i-think-being-world-number-one-and-world-champion-pressure-comes-with/) [Judd Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judd-trump/) > [If people want to put the pressure on me that fine but I don't put pressure on myself - that is where pressure comes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fallon-sherrock/if-people-want-to-put-the-pressure-on-me-that-fine-but-i-don-t-put/) [Fallon Sherrock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fallon-sherrock/) > [For an athlete, the biggest pressure comes from within. You know what you want to do and what you're capable of.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paula-radcliffe/for-an-athlete-the-biggest-pressure-comes-from-within-you-know-what/) [Paula Radcliffe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paula-radcliffe/) > [Leaders have to act more quickly today. The pressure comes much faster.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-grove/leaders-have-to-act-more-quickly-today-the-pressure-comes-much-faster/) [Andy Grove](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-grove/) ## More by John Steinbeck > [ Teaching might even be the greatest of the arts since the medium is the human mind and spirit. My three \[great teachers\] did not… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-steinbeck/teaching-might-even-be-the-greatest-of-the-arts-since-the-medium-is/) [John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-steinbeck/) > [Prayer never brought in no side-meat. Takes a shoat to bring in pork.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-steinbeck/prayer-never-brought-in-no-side-meat-takes-a-shoat-to-bring-in-pork/) [John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-steinbeck/) > [“And now submarines are armed with mass murder, our silly, only way of deterring mass murder.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-steinbeck/and-now-submarines-are-armed-with-mass-murder-our-silly-only-way-of/) [John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-steinbeck/) > [“I’d think there are degrees of greatness,” Adam said. “I don’t think so,” said Samuel. “That would be like saying there is a little…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-steinbeck/i-d-think-there-are-degrees-of-greatness-adam-said-i-don-t-think-so/) [John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-steinbeck/) > [“He was forever inventing a new way of doing an old thing and doing it better and quicker, but he never in his whole…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-steinbeck/he-was-forever-inventing-a-new-way-of-doing-an-old-thing-and-doing-it/) [John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-steinbeck/) > [“You come back a changed man. Samuel, you don’t change him. He changes you. I can see the look of him in your face.”…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-steinbeck/you-come-back-a-changed-man-samuel-you-don-t-change-him-he-changes/) [John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-steinbeck/) > [I find out of long experience that I admire all nations and hate all governments](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-steinbeck/i-find-out-of-long-experience-that-i-admire-all-nations-and-hate-all/) [John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-steinbeck/) > [At about 10 o'clock in the morning the sun threw a bright dust-laden bar through one of the side windows and in and out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-steinbeck/at-about-10-o-clock-in-the-morning-the-sun-threw-a-bright-dust-laden/) [John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-steinbeck/) > [I have noticed that there is no dissatisfaction like that of the rich. Feed a man, clothe him, put him in a good house,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-steinbeck/i-have-noticed-that-there-is-no-dissatisfaction-like-that-of-the-rich/) [John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-steinbeck/) > [“Who in his mind has not probe the dark water?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-steinbeck/who-in-his-mind-has-not-probe-the-dark-water/) [John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-steinbeck/) > [Sometimes, a lie is told in kindness. I don't believe it ever works kindly. The quick pain of truth can pass away, but the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-steinbeck/sometimes-a-lie-is-told-in-kindness-i-don-t-believe-it-ever-works/) [John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-steinbeck/) > [People like you to be something, preferably what they are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-steinbeck/people-like-you-to-be-something-preferably-what-they-are/) [John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-steinbeck/) > [“Suddenly he knew joy and sorrow felted into one fabric. Courage and fear were one thing too. He found that he had started to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-steinbeck/suddenly-he-knew-joy-and-sorrow-felted-into-one-fabric-courage-and/) [John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-steinbeck/) > [I am writing this from what we Americans call Yurrp. In Yurrp writers are taken as seriously as Lana Turner's legs are in America…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-steinbeck/i-am-writing-this-from-what-we-americans-call-yurrp-in-yurrp-writers/) [John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-steinbeck/) > [I write because I like to write. I find joy in the texture and tone and rhythm of words. It is a satisfaction like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-steinbeck/i-write-because-i-like-to-write-i-find-joy-in-the-texture-and-tone/) [John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-steinbeck/) [Explore all 1,589 John Steinbeck quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-steinbeck/) ## More Change quotes > [Only within yourself exists the other reality for which you long. I can give you nothing that has not already its being within yourself.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hermann-hesse/only-within-yourself-exists-the-other-reality-for-which-you-long-i/) [Hermann Hesse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hermann-hesse/) > [Life is full of change. That's how we learn and grow.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/life-is-full-of-change-that-s-how-we-learn-and-grow/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I can't believe that I'm sitting in meetings with Steven Spielberg, Tom Hanks, and Annette Bening. I want to take on that responsibility to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-ross-williams/i-can-t-believe-that-i-m-sitting-in-meetings-with-steven-spielberg/) [Roger Ross Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-ross-williams/) > [“…progress isn't necessarily about change but about things turning out as we want them to”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-hogan/progress-isn-t-necessarily-about-change-but-about-things-turning-out/) Phil Hogan > [Nobody can tell me that no changes are necessary in Washington.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-weld/nobody-can-tell-me-that-no-changes-are-necessary-in-washington/) [William Weld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-weld/) > [If my campaign is not in the debate, we will not be talking about how we really fix this problem of endless and expanding…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-stein/if-my-campaign-is-not-in-the-debate-we-will-not-be-talking-about-how/) [Jill Stein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-stein/) > [When you walk down the street of Kabul your values for life changes, they do change.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marco-pierre-white/when-you-walk-down-the-street-of-kabul-your-values-for-life-changes/) [Marco Pierre White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marco-pierre-white/) > [Your world will change whether or not you choose to change, but you have the power to choose it's direction.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napoleon-hill/your-world-will-change-whether-or-not-you-choose-to-change-but-you/) [Napoleon Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/napoleon-hill/) > [I hope I continue to evolve.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlotte-flair/i-hope-i-continue-to-evolve/) [Charlotte Flair](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlotte-flair/) > [“Stay focused on bringing people together and more on positive messaging so that you can be the change you wish to see in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/germany-kent/stay-focused-on-bringing-people-together-and-more-on-positive/) [Germany Kent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/germany-kent/) > [The biggest change for me as a mom was realizing I needed to put someone else before me. Now the hardest part about the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kim-alexis/the-biggest-change-for-me-as-a-mom-was-realizing-i-needed-to-put/) [Kim Alexis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kim-alexis/) > [“After the funeral, my life changed. I felt as if time were suddenly precious, water going down an open drain, and I could not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitch-albom/after-the-funeral-my-life-changed-i-felt-as-if-time-were-suddenly/) [Mitch Albom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitch-albom/) > [You practice mindfulness, on the one hand, to be calm and peaceful. On the other hand, as you practice mindfulness and live a life…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-practice-mindfulness-on-the-one-hand-to-be-calm-and-peaceful-on/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Irish research will contribute to global progress and have the potential to help all countries realise the potential of their land sectors in addressing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/enda-kenny/irish-research-will-contribute-to-global-progress-and-have-the/) [Enda Kenny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/enda-kenny/) > [No man can change himself into anything from sheer reason; he can only change into what he potentially is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-jung/no-man-can-change-himself-into-anything-from-sheer-reason-he-can-only/) [Carl Jung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-jung/) [Browse all 33,920 Change quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/change/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“We have in past been forced into reluctant change by weather, calamity, and plague. 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