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About this quote

What does it mean?
Mindless conservatism is worse than instinctive liberalism.
In plain terms
Thoughtless conservatives are worse than liberals.
What can you take from it?
Avoid mindless political positions.

Where it applies

  • political debates
  • party politics
  • elections

Putting it to work

  • think critically
  • avoid knee-jerk reactions
  • evaluate policies

Questions to consider

  • What makes a political stance thoughtful?
  • Are instincts better or worse than habits?

Another view

Both sides can have knee-jerk reactions; this is a generalization.

More from Edward Abbey

  1. If wilderness is outlawed, only outlaws can save wilderness.

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  2. God is a sound people make when they're too tired to think anymore.

    Permalink to quote #53
  3. I come more and more to the conclusion that wilderness, in America or anywhere else, is the only thing left that is worth saving.

    Permalink to quote #50

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