help explain a quote

[endeavor6636]

what this quote is asking? what doese it asking me to write about?

Prompt:
“What man calls civilization always results in deserts. Man is never on the square – he uses up the fat and greenery of the earth. Each generation wastes a little more of the future with greed and lust for riches.”

Don Marquis

Assignment:
With our modern awareness of ecology are we likely to make sufficient progress in conservation, or are we still in danger of damaging the earth beyond repair? Plan your response...

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Prompt:
If we are afraid to reveal our lack of knowledge we will not be able to learn. In order to make progress we must admit where we are now. Such an admission of ignorance is not easy. As Thoreau says, “How can we remember our ignorance which our growth requires, when we are using our knowledge all the time?”

Assignment:
Does the present system of education encourage us to admit our lack of knowledge, or is there too much pressure to demonstrate the acquisition of knowledge? Plan your response...

[Tdol]

It's asking you whether we are doing enough now to ensure that there will be resources left for the future or whether we are consuming too much too fast and not looking ahead.

[endeavor6636]

thank you for explaining the first one, but i dont get teh second one neither