If one may not sleep and one may not act, then what use is there sitting about? - Sheri S. Tepper

Our religion is based upon eschewing human sacrifice in favor of lives that are fulfilling, productive, and joyful."
Startled, Ellin cried, "Human sacrifice! I am surprised you can think of such a thing!"
D'Jevier said with unfeigned weariness, "My dear young woman, our history is made up of millennia of human sacrifice. Well into the twenty-first century, huge armies of young men were sacrificed to tribal or national honor, women were sacrificed to male supremacy, children were sacrificed to brutality, all immolated in flames of painful duty. We try to determine whether the dutiful will suffer and to decide how that suffering may be compensated. We continually redesign our society to provide joy to those who incur pain on our behalf.

Earth had always operated on a continuous-growth model that requires a poverty class. Sustainable models require productive work by all members and are quite different.

“I know so little,” she murmured.
“Better admit you are up to your neck in ignorance than stand upon a pinnacle of misinformation,” he said firmly.