You must not know too much or be too precise or scientific about birds and trees and flowers and watercraft; read more

You must not know too much or be too precise or scientific about birds and trees and flowers and watercraft; a certain free-margin, and even vagueness - ignorance, credulity - helps your enjoyment of these things.

It's hard for the modern generation to understand Thoreau, who lived beside a pond but didn't own water skis or read more

It's hard for the modern generation to understand Thoreau, who lived beside a pond but didn't own water skis or a snorkel.

If nature were not beautiful, it would not be worth knowing, and if nature were not worth knowing, life would read more

If nature were not beautiful, it would not be worth knowing, and if nature were not worth knowing, life would not be worth living

We have nowhere else to go... this is all we have.

We have nowhere else to go... this is all we have.

A few minutes ago every tree was excited, bowing to the roaring storm, waving, swirling, tossing their branches in glorious read more

A few minutes ago every tree was excited, bowing to the roaring storm, waving, swirling, tossing their branches in glorious enthusiasm like worship. But though to the outer ear these trees are now silent, their songs never cease.

Nor rural sights alone, but rural sounds,
Exhilarate the spirit, and restore
The tone of languid Nature.

Nor rural sights alone, but rural sounds,
Exhilarate the spirit, and restore
The tone of languid Nature.

By nature we have no defect that could not become a strength, no strength that could not become a defect

By nature we have no defect that could not become a strength, no strength that could not become a defect

The violets in the mountains have broken the rocks.

The violets in the mountains have broken the rocks.

A morning-glory at my window satisfies me more than the metaphysics of books.

A morning-glory at my window satisfies me more than the metaphysics of books.