I have known many dogs, and many a story I could tell of their wisdom and devotion; but to none do I owe so much as to Stickeen. At first the least promising and least known of my dog-friends, he suddenly became the best known of them all. Our storm-battle for life brought him to light, and through him as through a window I have ever since been looking with deeper sympathy into all my fellow mortals.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- A shared struggle with a dog deepened Muir's understanding of all living beings.
- In plain terms
- Surviving a storm with his dog taught him more about life than anything else.
- What can you take from it?
- Shared hardships can deepen empathy for all living things.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What animal has taught you about life?
- How do struggles change your empathy?
Another view
Not everyone has access to deep animals.
More from John Muir
No right way is easy in this rough world. We must risk our lives to save them.
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