The care and concern of one human being for another is a…
“The care and concern of one human being for another is a peculiar 'commodity.' It can't be stockpiled. It becomes degraded through trade. It isn't delivered by machines. Its quality rests entirely on the attention paid by one person to another. Even to speak of reducing the time involved is to misunderstand its value.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Prosperity without Growth, Tim Jackson, 2009
Human care cannot be stored or mechanized; its value lies in personal attention and cannot be reduced to time.
In simple terms: Care is personal and cannot be measured.
Key Takeaway
Prioritize genuine attention over efficiency.
Themes
human connection
value
attention
care
limitations
Mood
reflective
serious
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- personal relationships
- healthcare
- education
- teamwork
- customer service
Key Concepts
commodity metaphor
human interaction
quality of care
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we protect personal care in a fast‑paced world?
- What practices preserve attention quality?
A Different Perspective
Machines cannot replace the depth of human attention.