That man's best works should be such bungling imitations of Nature's infinite perfection, matters not much; but that he should read more

That man's best works should be such bungling imitations of Nature's infinite perfection, matters not much; but that he should make himself an imitation, this is the fact which Nature moans over, and deprecates beseechingly. Be spontaneous, be truthful, be free, and thus be individuals! is the song she sings through warbling birds, and whispering pines, and roaring waves, and screeching winds.

He who has so little knowledge of human nature as to seek happiness by changing anything but his own disposition read more

He who has so little knowledge of human nature as to seek happiness by changing anything but his own disposition will waste his life away in fruitless efforts.

If you don't know how to die, don't worry; Nature will tell you what to do on the spot, fully read more

If you don't know how to die, don't worry; Nature will tell you what to do on the spot, fully and adequately. She will do this job perfectly for you; don't bother your head about it.

Hit a tripwire of smell and memories explode all at once. A complex vision leaps out of the undergrowth.

Hit a tripwire of smell and memories explode all at once. A complex vision leaps out of the undergrowth.

In the depth of winter I finally learned that there was in me an invincible summer.

In the depth of winter I finally learned that there was in me an invincible summer.

Nature has been for me, for as long as I remember, a source of solace, inspiration, adventure, and delight; a read more

Nature has been for me, for as long as I remember, a source of solace, inspiration, adventure, and delight; a home, a teacher, a companion.

Nature's great law, and law of all men's minds?--
To its own impulse every creature stirs;
Live read more

Nature's great law, and law of all men's minds?--
To its own impulse every creature stirs;
Live by thy light, and earth will live by hers!

I've made an odd discovery. Every time I talk to a savant I feel quite sure that happiness is no read more

I've made an odd discovery. Every time I talk to a savant I feel quite sure that happiness is no longer a possibility. Yet when I talk with my gardener, I'm convinced of the opposite.

It's amazing how a competitive nature can turn a negative into something positive.

It's amazing how a competitive nature can turn a negative into something positive.