In a society so estranged from animals as ours, we often…
““In a society so estranged from animals as ours, we often fail to credit them with any form of language. If we do, it comes under the heading of communication rather than speech. And yet, the great silence we have imposed on the rest of life contains innumerable forms of expression. Where does our own language come from but this unfathomed store that characterizes innumerable species? We are now more than halfway removed from what the unwritten word meant to our ancestors, who believed in the original, primal word behind all manifestations of the spirit. You sang because you were answered. The answers come from life around you. Prayers, chants, and songs were also responses to the elements, to the wind, the sun and stars, the Great Mystery behind them. Life on earth springs from a collateral magic that we rarely consult. We avoid the unknown as if we were afraid that contact would lower our sense of self-esteem.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Critiques humanity’s disconnection from animal communication, urging recognition of diverse non‑human expressions and a deeper, primal language shared with nature.
In simple terms: We ignore animal languages, missing deeper connections.
Key Takeaway
Listen to nature’s many voices.
Themes
environment
communication
spirituality
Mood
contemplative
inspired
Type
philosophical
spiritual
When to use this quote
- wildlife observation
- meditation
- creative writing
- environmental activism
Key Concepts
non‑human language
primal word
ecology
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we broaden our definition of language?
- What practices reconnect us with natural expression?
A Different Perspective
Human language is often anthropocentric, limiting understanding.