Agriculture Quote by Samuel Johnson
“If we estimate dignity by immediate usefulness, agriculture is undoubtedly the first and noblest science.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Vanity of Human Wishes, 1759
Measuring dignity by usefulness reduces agriculture to a mere tool, ignoring its intrinsic nobility and broader value.
In simple terms: Dignity isn’t just usefulness.
Value agriculture for its inherent worth.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- policy
- education
- environmental stewardship
- food security
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we balance utility and intrinsic worth?
- What policies honor agriculture’s nobility?
Practical utility is also important for societal survival.