As we men live and act, so do our arteries; so does blood…
““As we men live and act, so do our arteries; so does blood; so do corpuscles. As cells and protoplasm live and act, so do elements, molecules, and atoms. As elements and atoms live and act, so do clouds; so does the earth; so does the ocean, the Milky Way, and the Solar System. What is this life which pervades the grandest as well as the minutest works of Nature, and which may fitly be said 'greater than the greatest and smaller than the smallest?' It cannot be defined. It cannot be subjected to exact analysis. But it is directly experienced and recognized within us, just as the beauty of the rose is to be perceived and enjoyed, but not reduced to exact analysis. At any rate, it is something stirring, moving, acting and reacting continually. This something which can be experienced and felt and enjoyed directly by every one of us. This life of living principle in the microcosmos is identical with that of the macrocosmos, and the Universal Life of the macrocosmos is the common source of all lives.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Life’s essence is a continuous, unquantifiable flow linking micro and macro realms, experienced directly rather than analytically.
In simple terms: Life is a seamless, felt connection.
Key Takeaway
Embrace the lived experience.
Themes
nature
unity
existence
Mood
awe
inspired
Type
spiritual
philosophical
When to use this quote
- meditation
- environmental activism
- science education
- artistic expression
Key Concepts
holism
systems theory
Questions to Reflect On
- How does this perspective change your view of nature?
- What practices help you feel this unity?
A Different Perspective
Attempting to fully define life may miss its experiential depth.