Edward Abbey
Edward Abbey
Edward Paul Abbeywas an American author and essayist noted for his advocacy of environmental issues, criticism of public land policies, and anarchist political views. His best-known works include the novel The Monkey Wrench Gang, which has been cited as an inspiration by radical environmental groups, and the non-fiction work Desert Solitaire...
NationalityAmerican
ProfessionActivist
Date of Birth29 January 1927
CountryUnited States of America
choices desert done
most of my wandering in the desert i've done alone. not so much from choice as from necessity - i generally prefer to go into places where no one else wants to go. i find that in contemplating the natural world my pleasure is greater if there are not too many others contemplating it with me, at the same time.
nature wings roots
"If my decomposing carcass helps nourish the roots of a juniper tree or the wings of a vulture--that is immortality enough for me. And as much as anyone deserves." E.Abbey
believe hopeful happy-endings
I am hopeful, though not full of hope, and the only reason I don't believe in happy endings is because I don't believe in endings.
sweet democracy cures
Anarchism? You bet your sweet betsy. The only cure for the ills of democracy is more democracy. Much more.
crowded
A crowded society is a restrictive society; an overcrowded society becomes an authoritarian, repressive and murderous society.
simple everyday tangible
I now find the most marvelous things in the everyday, the ordinary, the common, the simple and tangible.
children real men
The love of a man for his wife, his child, of the land where he lives and works, is for me the real meaning of mystical experience.
hero evil people
Yes, there are plenty of heroes and heroines everywhere you look. They are not famous people. They are generally obscure and modest people doing useful work, keeping their families together and taking an active part in the health of their communities, opposing what is evil (in one way or another) and defending what is good. Heroes do not want power over others.
favorite-hobby world saving
Saving the world is only a hobby. Most of the time I do nothing.
way resistance unnecessary
I took the other road, all right, but only because it was the easy road for me, the way I wanted to go. If I've encountered some unnecessary resistance that's because most of the traffic is going the other way.
intellectual controversial interest
How could anything non-controversial be of intellectual interest to grown-ups?
men land sheep
In the land of bleating sheep and braying jackasses, one brave and honest man is bound to create a scandal.
communication writing winter
To the Technocrats: Have mercy on us. Relax a bit, take time out for simple pleasures. For example, the luxuries of electricity, indoor plumbing, central heating, instant electronic communication and such, have taught me to relearn and enjoy the basic human satisfactions of dipping water from a cold clear mountain stream; of building a wood fire in a cast-iron stove; of using long winter nights for making music, making things, making love; of writing long letters, in longhand with a fountain pen, to the few people on this earth I truly care about.
sea sky perfect
I thought of the wilderness we had left behind us, open to sea and sky, joyous in its plenitude and simplicity, perfect yet vulnerable, unaware of what is coming, defended by nothing, guarded by no one.