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About this quote

What does it mean?
Humans transcend their physical labor and achievements through abstract thought and concepts.
In plain terms
People grow beyond their work by thinking and creating ideas.
What can you take from it?
Thought allows humans to surpass their physical output.

Where it applies

  • evaluating legacy
  • valuing ideas over labor
  • personal development

Putting it to work

  • valuing intellectual work
  • pursuing abstract goals

Questions to consider

  • Does your work define you?
  • How do you grow beyond your job?

Another view

This ignores that not everyone has the privilege to focus on concepts.

More from John Steinbeck

  1. You ain't worth a greased lack pin to ram you into hell. Ch.6, p.101

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  2. How can we live without our lives? How will we know it's us without our past?

    Permalink to quote #25
  3. Curleys wife:You watch your place, nigger. I could get you strung up on a tree so easy, it ain't even funny. Ch.4, p.80

    Permalink to quote #22

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