Amuse Quote by Barbara Kingsolver
“With all due respect for the wondrous ways people have invented to amuse themselves and one another on paved surfaces, I find that this exodus from the land makes me unspeakably sad. I think of the children who will never know, intuitively, that a flower is a plant's way of making love, or what silence sounds like, or that trees breathe out what we breathe in.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Unseen World, 2010
Sadness over loss of natural wonder as children miss simple, intuitive experiences with nature.
In simple terms: Children miss nature's simple wonders.
Key Takeaway
Preserve natural experiences.
Themes
environment
nostalgia
education
Mood
reflective
melancholic
Type
educational
philosophical
When to use this quote
- school curricula
- family outings
- urban planning
Key Concepts
Ecology
childhood development
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we reconnect children with nature?
- What simple moments teach deep lessons?
A Different Perspective
Modern life may limit exposure.
![“They [the English] amuse themselves sadly as in the custom of their country. [Fr., Ils s'amusaient tristement selon la contume de leur pays.]” quote by Jean Froissart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/65d/jean-froissart-58741_amuse_they-the-english-amuse-themselves-sadly_610561.jpg)
![“[O]ur relationship with nature has become warped. You see, nature has acquired a purpose where we are concerned. Its task is to amuse us. It no longer exists for its own sake.” quote by Joseph Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/acc/joseph-roth-14460_amuse_o-ur-relationship-with-nature-has-become_789654.jpg)
