Dolphins Quote by Margaret Atwood
“But we still find the world astounding, we can't get enough of it; even as it shrivels, even as its many lights flicker and are extinguished (the tigers, the leopard frogs, the plunging dolphin flukes), flicker and are extinguished, by us, by us, we gaze and gaze. Where do you draw the line, between love and greed? We never did know, we always wanted more. We want to take it all in, for one last time, we want to eat the world with our eyes.”
About This Quote
The passage marvels at the world's wonders while confronting its decline, questioning the boundary between admiration and exploitation.
In simple terms: We are fascinated by the world even as it fades.
Key Takeaway
Balance wonder with responsibility toward nature.
Themes
environment
wonder
exploitation
Mood
contemplative
critical
Type
philosophical
environmental
When to use this quote
- nature tourism
- conservation activism
- artistic inspiration
Key Concepts
ecology
philosophy
human desire
Questions to Reflect On
- What responsibilities do we have to protect what we admire?
- How can we enjoy nature without exploiting it?
A Different Perspective
May idealize nature without addressing systemic causes of loss.
![“As he [Sir Malcolm Sargeant, conductor of the London Philharmonic] stood in waist deep in the shallows of Whaler's Cove, the littler spinners came drifting over, sleek and dainty, gazing at him curiously with their soft dark eyes. Malcolm was a tactful, graceful man in his movements, and so the…” quote by Karen Pryor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/eca/karen-pryor-39019_dark-eyes_as-he-sir-malcolm-sargeant-conductor-of_162419.jpg)
