Beautiful Quote by Wendell Berry
“Can we actually suppose that we are wasting, polluting, and making ugly this beautiful land for the sake of patriotism and the love of God? Perhaps some of us would like to think so, but in fact this destruction is taking place because we have allowed ourselves to believe, and to live, a mated pair of economic lies: that nothing has a value that is not assigned to it by the market; and that the economic life of our communities can safely be handed over to the great corporations.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Unsettling of America, 1977
The quote critiques how patriotism and religious sentiment mask environmental destruction, driven by market‑centric values and corporate control.
In simple terms: Market values hide ecological harm.
Key Takeaway
Question the true cost of patriotism.
Themes
environment
economics
ethics
spirituality
Mood
concerned
reflective
Type
critical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- urban planning
- policy making
- community activism
- environmental education
Key Concepts
Ecocentrism
market critique
corporate power
Questions to Reflect On
- What values should guide land stewardship?
- How can communities resist corporate dominance?
A Different Perspective
Economic narratives can ignore non‑market values.
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