Skip to content

Hate life Quote by N.K. Jemisin

“According to legend, Father Earth did not originally hate life. In fact, as the lorists tell it, once upon a time Earth did everything he could to facilitate the strange emergence of life on his surface. He crafted even, predictable seasons; kept changes of wind and wave and temperature slow…” quote by N.K. Jemisin
Download Open image
““According to legend, Father Earth did not originally hate life. In fact, as the lorists tell it, once upon a time Earth did everything he could to facilitate the strange emergence of life on his surface. He crafted even, predictable seasons; kept changes of wind and wave and temperature slow enough that every living being could adapt, evolve; summoned waters that purified themselves, skies that always cleared after a storm. He did not create life—that was happenstance—but he was pleased and fascinated by it, and proud to nurture such strange wild beauty upon his surface. Then people began to do horrible things to Father Earth. They poisoned waters beyond even his ability to cleanse, and killed much of the other life that lived on his surface. They drilled through the crust of his skin, past the blood of his mantle, to get at the sweet marrow of his bones. And at the height of human hubris and might, it was the orogenes who did something that even Earth could not forgive: They destroyed his only child.””

N.K. Jemisin

About This Quote

Source Novel: The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin, 2015

Earth, as a sentient being, nurtures life but is betrayed by humanity's destructive actions, leading to irreversible loss.

In simple terms: Human greed harms the planet, causing tragic consequences.

Key Takeaway

Protect and respect the environment.

Themes

environment betrayal human impact

Mood

urgent somber

Type

environmental philosophical

When to use this quote

  • climate activism
  • sustainable living
  • policy advocacy

Key Concepts

ecology mythic storytelling anthropocentrism

Questions to Reflect On

  • How can societies shift from exploitation to stewardship?
  • What responsibilities do we hold toward Earth?
A Different Perspective

Changing deep‑rooted behaviors is difficult and may face resistance.

3.8 out of 5 (5 ratings)

More by N.K. Jemisin

Explore all 225 N.K. Jemisin quotes

More Hate life quotes

Browse all 149 Hate life quotes