Books Quote by Patricia A. McKillip
““A librarian had found the baby sitting abandoned on the sheer edge of the world; the librarians kept her. That proved shrewd. Nepenthe had drooled on words, talked at them, and tried to eat them until she learned to take them into her eyes instead of her mouth.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Forgotten Beasts of Eld, 1975
A child abandoned on a dangerous brink is rescued by librarians, showing compassion can be a shrewd survival strategy.
In simple terms: Librarians saved an abandoned baby, proving kindness can be clever.
Key Takeaway
Compassion can be a strategic advantage.
Themes
compassion
survival
wisdom
Mood
hopeful
reflective
Type
narrative
inspirational
When to use this quote
- rescue missions
- social work
- education
- community care
Key Concepts
ethical choice
humanity
protective instinct
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we balance empathy with self‑preservation?
- When does helping become self‑sacrifice?
A Different Perspective
Kindness may not always guarantee safety; it can expose caretakers to risk.
![“[Imagination] must be visited constantly, or else it begins to become restless and emit strange bellows at embarrassing moments; ignoring it only makes it grow larger and noisier.” quote by Patricia A. McKillip](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/12e/patricia-a-mckillip-5203_embarrassing_imagination-must-be-visited-constantly-o_192968.jpg)
