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Quote by Wallace Stegner

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Wallace Stegner
Wallace Stegner

Wallace Stegner was an influential American historian known for his extensive research on the history of the American West. His works not only documented the pioneering journey of the American West but also profoundly reflected the relationship between humans and nature. Stegner's writing style was unique and his language beautiful, which won him great popularity among readers. more

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“Touch. It is touch that is the deadliest enemy of chastity, loyalty, monogamy, gentility with its codes and conventions and restraints. By touch we are betrayed and betray others ... an accidental brushing of shoulders or touching of hands ... hands laid on shoulders in a gesture of comfort that lies like a thief, that takes, not gives, that wants, not offers, that awakes, not pacifies. When one flesh is waiting, there is electricity in the merest contact.”

WantGivingHandsLyingWaitingEnemyComfortOffersFleshLoyaltyShouldersContactCodeTouchingConventionsBetrayGesturesThievesInfidelityElectricityRestraintBetrayedChastityMonogamyBrushingGentility
Author:Wallace Stegner
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“Civilizations grow by agreements and accomodations and accretions, not by repudiations. The rebels and the revolutionaries are only eddies, they keep the stream from getting stagnant but they get swept down and absorbed, they're a side issue. Quiet desperation is another name for the human condition. If revolutionaries would learn that they can't remodel society by day after tomorrow -- haven't the wisdom to and shouldn't be permitted to -- I'd have more respect for them ... Civilizations grow and change and decline -- they aren't remade.”

IfsHumansNamesGrowsSidesIssuesConditionsHavensTomorrowCivilizationQuietDown AndRevolutionaryStreamsAgreementRebelHuman ConditionDeclineDesperationStagnantQuiet Desperation
Author:Wallace Stegner
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