Able Quote by Kamala Markandaya
“To those who live by the land there must always come times of hardship, of fear and of hunger, even as there are years of plenty. This is one of the truths of our existence as those who live by the land know: that sometimes we eat and sometimes we starve. We live by our labours fromone harvest to the next, there is no certain telling whether we shall be able to feed ourselves and our children, and if bad times are prolonged we know we must see the weak surrender their lives and this fact, too, is within our experience. In our lives there is no margin for misfortune.”
About This Quote
Source Novel: Niryathartham (The Lost World) by Kamala Markandaya, 1965
Life dependent on agriculture is subject to cycles of abundance and scarcity, making hardship inevitable and the weak vulnerable.
In simple terms: Farmers face constant risk of famine and loss.
Key Takeaway
Prepare for uncertainty and support the vulnerable.
Themes
agriculture
uncertainty
survival
social inequality
Mood
somber
reflective
Type
sociological
philosophical
When to use this quote
- rural planning
- community aid
- crop diversification
- social safety nets
Key Concepts
economic cycles
food security
human resilience
Questions to Reflect On
- How can societies better protect farmers during famines?
- What responsibilities do the strong have toward the weak?
A Different Perspective
Hardship can be mitigated through collective action and policy, not just individual endurance.
