You can’t have a light without a dark to stick it in.

Meaning of the quote

You need to have darkness in order to see the light. Without the dark, the light won't be as visible or useful. The quote suggests that contrast and opposites help us appreciate and understand things better.

About Arlo Guthrie

Arlo Guthrie is an American folk singer-songwriter known for his socially conscious songs and storytelling performances. His most famous work is the 18-minute “Alice’s Restaurant Massacree,” which has become a Thanksgiving tradition. Guthrie has also had a successful acting career and comes from a musical family, with his four children also becoming musicians.

More about the author

More quotes from Arlo Guthrie

Greed and globalization aren’t just America’s fault.

Arlo Guthrie

American folk singer

I don’t want a pickle, just want to ride on my motorsickle.

Arlo Guthrie

American folk singer

There are people all over the world who are willing to exploit others. You can’t just point the finger at America.

Arlo Guthrie

American folk singer

Building walls isn’t going to work in the long run. Some people are happy with the wall in Israel, but somebody will get a weapon someday and knock it over or something. Walls aren’t the answer between countries, though.

Arlo Guthrie

American folk singer

Everyone has a responsibility to not only tolerate another person’s point of view, but also to accept it eagerly as a challenge to your own understanding. And express those challenges in terms of serving other people.

Arlo Guthrie

American folk singer

We live in an increasingly sophisticated world that makes it difficult to make simple comments on stuff. There are too many people on both sides of the border who are taking advantage of circumstances and the situation.

Arlo Guthrie

American folk singer

You can’t have a light without a dark to stick it in.

Arlo Guthrie

American folk singer

We would turn everything into songs in those days.

Arlo Guthrie

American folk singer

There’s only one God. Call him whatever you want.

Arlo Guthrie

American folk singer

You get people talking about being worried about their art, and dances… their culture being wiped out or taken over, and yet these same people are taking advantage of their people to use them as cheap labour.

Arlo Guthrie

American folk singer

The death of what’s dead is the birth of what’s living.

Arlo Guthrie

American folk singer

I’d rather have friends who care than friends who agree with me.

Arlo Guthrie

American folk singer

But think of the last guy. For one minute, think of the last guy. Nobody’s got it worse than that guy. Nobody in the whole world.

Arlo Guthrie

American folk singer