"The immense cities lie basking on the beaches of the continent like whales that have taken to the land"
- Arnold J. Toynbee
About this Quote
This quote by Arnold J. Toynbee paints a brilliant image of the enormous cities of the continent, lying on the beaches like whales that have taken to the land. It suggests that the cities are so large and powerful that they have ended up being a part of the land itself, like whales that have adapted to life on land. The quote likewise indicates that the cities are so large and effective that they are almost like living animals, with their own life and energy. It is an effective metaphor for the power and influence of cities, and how they have actually ended up being a part of the land itself. Toynbee's quote is a reminder of the enormous power and impact of cities, and how they have actually ended up being a part of the land itself.
"Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass under trees on a summer's day, listening to the murmur of the water, or watching the clouds float across the sky, is by no means a waste of time"
