A green leaf rests against a car's side mirror while a grey road and landscape blur around it.

Original artwork, not a still

P. J. O'Rourke

Only God can make a tree; but only Man can drive by one so fast.

Behind the line

What it means

Our interpretation.

The first half sounds like praise for a tree's creation; the second proudly offers human speed as a rival achievement. That odd comparison makes the boast funny. Making something beautiful and rushing past it are treated as if they belong in the same contest.

Context reviewed

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