Natural enemies Quote by Alan W. Watts
![“[L]ife is a system of geological and biological cooperation. Certainly, the system contains fights: birds against worms, snails against lettuce, and spiders against flies. But these fights are contained in the sense that they do not get out of hand, that no one species is the permanent victor. Man…” quote by Alan W. Watts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/99e/alan-w-watts-9497_natural-enemies_l-ife-is-a-system-of-geological-and-biol_2943802.jpg)
““[L]ife is a system of geological and biological cooperation. Certainly, the system contains fights: birds against worms, snails against lettuce, and spiders against flies. But these fights are contained in the sense that they do not get out of hand, that no one species is the permanent victor. Man alone is trying to eliminate his natural enemies in the conviction that he is, or should be, the supreme species.””
About This Quote
Source Lecture: "The Nature of Reality", 1965
Life is an interconnected web of cooperation and competition; humanity’s belief in dominance disrupts natural balance.
In simple terms: All species coexist, none dominate forever.
Key Takeaway
Respect ecological interdependence.
Themes
philosophy
ecology
humankind
Mood
thoughtful
serene
Type
philosophical
environmental
When to use this quote
- conservation policy
- urban planning
- education curricula
- personal lifestyle choices
Key Concepts
systems theory
environmental ethics
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we foster cooperation over competition?
- What does “supreme species” mean to you?
A Different Perspective
Human ambition can still drive progress.
![“[T]he question "What is everything?" has no meaning, even though it seems to be profound. [...] The point is, perhaps, that I am not looking for a verbal answer, just as when I ask for a kiss, I do not want a piece of paper with "A kiss" written on it. It is rather that metaphysical wonder looks…” quote by Alan W. Watts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/705/alan-w-watts-9497_curiosity_t-he-question-what-is-everything-has-no_3984.jpg)
![“[T]he world as described is included in but is not the same as the world as it is. As a way of contemplation, it is being aware of life without thinking about it, and then carrying this on even while one is thinking, so that thoughts are not confused with nature.” quote by Alan W. Watts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/1ff/alan-w-watts-9497_contemplation_t-he-world-as-described-is-included-in-b_254933.jpg)
![“[S]een as a whole the universe is a harmony or symbiosis of patterns which cannot exist without each other.” quote by Alan W. Watts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/782/alan-w-watts-9497_harmony_s-een-as-a-whole-the-universe-is-a-harmo_262535.jpg)
