Airline Quote by Wendell Berry
“We need to confront honestly the issue of scale... You may need a large corporation to run an airline or to manufacture cars, but you don't need a large corporation to raise a chicken or a hog. You don't need a large corporation to process local food or local timber and market it locally.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: "The Unsettling of America" by Wendell Berry, 1977
Large corporations are necessary for massive industries, but small, local enterprises can thrive without them, preserving community and sustainability.
In simple terms: Big firms suit big tasks; small farms can stay independent.
Key Takeaway
Support local production and resist unnecessary scaling.
Themes
sustainability
localism
economics
community
scale
Mood
thoughtful
hopeful
pragmatic
Type
advice
inspirational
When to use this quote
- Running a family farm
- starting a local timber business
- selling produce at farmers markets
- community-supported agriculture
Key Concepts
Agriculture
decentralization
market dynamics
Questions to Reflect On
- How can communities balance efficiency with local autonomy?
- What policies help protect small producers?
A Different Perspective
Large scale may bring efficiency but can erode local resilience and environmental health.
