Addresses Quote by Alfred North Whitehead
“Nature gets credit which should in truth be reserved for ourselves: the rose for its scent, the nightingale for its song; and the sun for its radiance. The poets are entirely mistaken. They should address their lyrics to themselves and should turn them into odes of self congratulation on the excellence of the human mind.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Process and Reality, Alfred North Whitehead, 1929
The quote argues that humans wrongly attribute natural beauty to nature itself instead of recognizing it as a reflection of human creativity and intellect.
In simple terms: People credit nature for beauty, but it mirrors human mind.
Key Takeaway
Recognize human creativity in nature.
Themes
humanism
creativity
anthropocentrism
Mood
reflective
critical
Type
philosophical
literary
reflective
When to use this quote
- art criticism
- environmental education
- personal reflection
- literary analysis
Key Concepts
process philosophy
self‑congratulation
Questions to Reflect On
- Do we see nature as a mirror of ourselves?
- How does this view affect environmental responsibility?
A Different Perspective
It may overlook the intrinsic value of nature independent of human perception.
![“[T]he appropriate form of address between man and man ought to be, not monsieur, sir, but fellow sufferer, compagnon de miseres.” quote by Arthur Schopenhauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/be6/arthur-schopenhauer-226_addresses_t-he-appropriate-form-of-address-between_32897.jpg)
