In "Travels with Charley: In Search of America," John Steinbeck reflects on the human tendency to resist change as one ages. He suggests that while people naturally gravitate towards stability, this can hinder progress, especially when those changes could enhance their lives. Steinbeck emphasizes the conflict between embracing improvement and clinging to familiar ways that may no longer serve a vibrant existence.

Furthermore, Steinbeck compares two extremes of the human condition—corpulence and starvation—indicating that both can be detrimental to well-being. He highlights a societal transition where individuals may reject beneficial changes in favor of harmful habits, illustrating the struggle between adaptation and the comfort of routine. The quote encapsulates a broader commentary on societal growth and the resistance to positive transformation.