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Alive Quote by Sharon Gannon

“If it were possible to live without causing harm to any living being at all, then indeed we might well choose not to eat carrots or other vegetables. But that is not possible - merely by being alive, we necessarily cause harm to many, many beings: we step on them inadvertently, we breathe them in…” quote by Sharon Gannon
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“If it were possible to live without causing harm to any living being at all, then indeed we might well choose not to eat carrots or other vegetables. But that is not possible - merely by being alive, we necessarily cause harm to many, many beings: we step on them inadvertently, we breathe them in without noticing, we kill them when we brush our teeth or wash our bodies, etc.”

Sharon Gannon

About This Quote

Source Book: The Art of Living, 2018

Living without harming any life is impossible; even basic survival causes unintended damage.

In simple terms: All life causes some harm.

Key Takeaway

Accept unavoidable impact and aim to reduce it.

Themes

ethics environment compassion interconnectedness

Mood

reflective concerned

Type

ethical environmental

When to use this quote

  • dietary choices
  • environmental activism
  • mindful consumption
  • daily habits

Key Concepts

moral philosophy ecology non‑violence

Questions to Reflect On

  • How can we balance survival with minimizing harm?
  • What small changes make the biggest difference?
A Different Perspective

Idealistic goals may clash with practical needs.

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