Bent Quote by Wallace Stegner
“History is not the proper midden for digging up novelties. Perhaps that is one reason why a nation bent on novelty ignores it.”
About This Quote
Source Novel: "The Big Rock Candy Mountain" by Wallace Stegner, 1956
Societies focusing on novelty neglect historical lessons, leading to repeated mistakes.
In simple terms: Ignoring history while chasing new ideas causes problems.
Key Takeaway
Learn from the past before innovating.
Themes
history
novelty
culture
Mood
reflective
critical
Type
cultural
philosophical
When to use this quote
- education curricula
- policy planning
- corporate strategy
- media critique
Key Concepts
collective memory
innovation cycles
societal values
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we balance tradition and innovation?
- What mechanisms preserve useful historical knowledge?
A Different Perspective
Overemphasis on novelty can stifle tradition.
