"But we moderns are impatient and destructive"

John C. Ransom's quote speaks to the contemporary human condition, suggesting that we are typically identified by impatience and damage. This might be interpreted in a variety of ways, from our propensity to hurry through life without putting in the time to value the present moment, to our tendency to exploit natural deposits and damage the environment. It could also describe our tendency to be damaging in our relationships, often getting our frustrations on those closest to us. In any case, Ransom's quote works as a suggestion of the significance of bearing in mind our actions and how they can affect the world around us. We should aim to be patient and positive in our lives, rather than restless and damaging.