Sounds like Mr. S should have been a librarian

The problem with thoughts and with words is that they can always be taken another way. For example, Steinbeck's quote contains a contradiction. He says he would fight against any idea that limits or destroys the individual but his own idea could easily destroy the individual! The free exploring mind that takes any direction it wishes can, and often does, lead to self-destruction!

I would replace 'mind' with 'heart' in the quotation. But don't ask me what I mean by heart because it is inexpressible and beyond words. But it never destroys the individual. And it is always needed when the mind gets us into trouble.

Here we have a saying for words like that : to kick a door in that's already open...

Very open...

Let me guess : you're American...

Actually, Hilde, I'm Canadian. But thanks for asking! :)

(I'd love to hear why you think that enjoying the quote above would make me an American. Sheesh.)

To address the idea that the quote is inherently contradictory - the idea, in itself, does not destroy the individual, but a path that it could potentially take might. However, is this not true of all things?

To Hilde - not only does your response make little sense and add nothing to the discussion, but you further ruin it with that prejudicial remark. Wanna run with the big kids?, then stop being an ethnocentric little brat.