Man has been here 32,000 years. That it took a hundred million years to prepare the world for him is proof that that is what it was done for. I suppose it is, I dunno. If the Eiffel Tower were now representing the world's age, the skin of paint on the pinnacle-knob at its summit would represent man's share of that age; and anybody would perceive that the skin was what the tower was built for. I reckon they would, I dunno.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Human history is a tiny fraction of Earth's age, yet we often act as if we are the purpose of it.
- In plain terms
- Man’s brief time on Earth is mistakenly seen as central.
- What can you take from it?
- Recognize our modest place in deep time.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- How does recognizing our brief tenure affect our actions?
- What responsibilities arise from this perspective?
Another view
Humans have had significant impact despite short tenure.
More from Samuel Langhorne Clemens
You cannot depend on your eyes when your imagination is out of focus.
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