If we are to succeed in the great task before us we must…
““If we are to succeed in the great task before us we must adopt a humbler attitude towards the elementary things of life than that which is implied in our frequent boasting about our so-called 'Conquest of Nature.' We have put ourselves on a pinnacle in the pride of an imagined conquest. But we cannot separate ourselves from nature if we would... There can be no quarrel between ourselves and nature any more than there can be a quarrel between a man's head and his feet. If such a quarrel is invented, it is the man who suffers, including both his head and his feet... We have come to regard nature as something primitive, terrible, and squalid. If she is so, it is we who have made her so.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Humility toward everyday nature is essential; pride separates us from the natural world and causes suffering
In simple terms: Respect simple nature, avoid pride
Key Takeaway
Live modestly, honor nature
Themes
humility
environment
pride
Mood
reflective
concerned
Type
philosophical
ethical
When to use this quote
- personal health
- urban planning
- education
- policy making
Key Concepts
Ecology
philosophy
human-nature relationship
Questions to Reflect On
- How does pride affect our treatment of the environment?
- What practices foster respect for everyday nature?
A Different Perspective
Human nature often resists humility, leading to exploitation