If it were not for collectors England would be full, so to…
““If it were not for collectors England would be full, so to speak, of rare birds and wonderful butterflies, strange flowers and a thousand interesting things. But happily the collector prevents all that, either killing with his own hands or, by buying extravagantly, procuring people of the lower classes to kill such eccentricities as appear. ... Eccentricity, in fact, is immorality--think over it again if you do not think so now--just as eccentricity in one's way of thinking is madness (I defy you to find another definition that will fit all the cases of either); and if a species is rare it follows that it is not Fitted to Survive. The collector is after all merely like the foot soldier in the days of heavy armour-he leaves the combatants alone and cuts the throats of those who are overthrown. So one may go through England from end to end in the summer time and see only eight or ten commonplace wild flowers, and the commoner butterflies, and a dozen or so common birds, and never be offended by any breach of the monotony.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Collecting rare items often leads to exploitation and loss of diversity, as the desire for uniqueness can cause harm to both nature and people.
In simple terms: Collecting can cause harm.
Key Takeaway
Beware the cost of rarity.
Themes
environment
ethics
social class
Mood
critical
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- museum curation
- collecting hobbies
- environmental policy
- education programs
Key Concepts
exploitation
conservation
economic disparity
Questions to Reflect On
- What responsibilities do collectors have?
- How can we protect rarity without exploitation?
A Different Perspective
Not all collectors act maliciously; some preserve heritage.