--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: But I know that the body I inhabit will…" description: "\"“But I know that the body I inhabit will only take so much, can only go so far. Rocks, stones, even the leaning twisting trees, all are harder and more..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8bb/eva-figes-35298_trees_but-i-know-that-the-body-i-inhabit-will_3130048.jpg" --- # But I know that the body I inhabit will only take so much… ![“But I know that the body I inhabit will only take so much, can only go so far. Rocks, stones, even the leaning twisting trees, all are harder and more enduring. The stones have weight and mass, and agonised trees are rooted deep in the craggy soil.” quote by Eva Figes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8bb/eva-figes-35298_trees_but-i-know-that-the-body-i-inhabit-will_3130048.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8bb/eva-figes-35298_trees_but-i-know-that-the-body-i-inhabit-will_3130048.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8bb/eva-figes-35298_trees_but-i-know-that-the-body-i-inhabit-will_3130048.jpg) > ““But I know that the body I inhabit will only take so much, can only go so far. Rocks, stones, even the leaning twisting trees, all are harder and more enduring. The stones have weight and mass, and agonised trees are rooted deep in the craggy soil.”” [Eva Figes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eva-figes/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Physical limits exist, but perseverance and grounding can help endure hardships. **In simple terms:** Bodies have limits; stay grounded. Key Takeaway Recognize limits, stay rooted. Themes endurance nature human limits Mood thoughtful steady Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - physical training - mental health - adversity - environmental challenges Key Concepts philosophy metaphor Questions to Reflect On - What personal “stones” anchor you? - How do you push beyond perceived limits? A Different Perspective Limits can be both physical and mental, requiring balance. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Trees](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/trees/) ## Related quotes > [No motion has she now, no force; she neither hears nor sees; rolled around in earth's diurnal course, with rocks, and stones, and trees.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-wordsworth/no-motion-has-she-now-no-force-she-neither-hears-nor-sees-rolled/) [William Wordsworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-wordsworth/) > [During my first years in the Sierra, I was ever calling on everybody within reach to admire them, but I found no one half…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-muir/during-my-first-years-in-the-sierra-i-was-ever-calling-on-everybody/) [John Muir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-muir/) > [You never quite know what you do in life that leaves a seed behind that grows into an oak tree.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-portillo/you-never-quite-know-what-you-do-in-life-that-leaves-a-seed-behind/) [Michael Portillo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-portillo/) > [I liked climbing trees and could often be found up one reading a book. I played games with Dad and drew maps for him…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rhianna-pratchett/i-liked-climbing-trees-and-could-often-be-found-up-one-reading-a-book/) [Rhianna Pratchett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rhianna-pratchett/) > [Meanwhile, the trees were just as green as before; the birds sang and the sun shone as clearly now as ever. The familiar surroundings…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-hardy/meanwhile-the-trees-were-just-as-green-as-before-the-birds-sang-and/) [Thomas Hardy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-hardy/) > [The problem with drinking and driving is that trees defend themselves very well.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-problem-with-drinking-and-driving-is-that-trees-defend-themselves/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [You could be the leaf that never falls from the tree you could be the sun that never leaves the sky this might be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-levithan/you-could-be-the-leaf-that-never-falls-from-the-tree-you-could-be-the/) [David Levithan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-levithan/) > [“Sentinels of trees breathe life into bodies of earthly flesh As their mighty arms reach to the stars we join in their quest for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ramon-ravenswood/sentinels-of-trees-breathe-life-into-bodies-of-earthly-flesh-as-their/) [Ramon Ravenswood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ramon-ravenswood/) > [“Nevermore Tree was gargantuan, a word which here means 'having attained an inordinate amount of botanical volume.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lemony-snicket/nevermore-tree-was-gargantuan-a-word-which-here-means-having-attained/) [Lemony Snicket](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lemony-snicket/) > [“a crime to fell a tree and light it on fire, where coals of hardened shit warmed and stunk up homes,”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hugh-howey/a-crime-to-fell-a-tree-and-light-it-on-fire-where-coals-of-hardened/) [Hugh Howey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hugh-howey/) > [Suddenly a mist of green on the trees, as quiet as thought.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dorothy-richardson/suddenly-a-mist-of-green-on-the-trees-as-quiet-as-thought/) [Dorothy Richardson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dorothy-richardson/) > [A tree is a self: it is 'unseen shaping' more than it is leaves or bark, roots or cellulose or fruit ... What this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-swimme/a-tree-is-a-self-it-is-unseen-shaping-more-than-it-is-leaves-or-bark/) [Brian Swimme](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-swimme/) > [“Sitting at the old patio table she’d cleared of leaves, she smiled and leaned back. The stars looked twisted in the limbs of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-addison-allen/sitting-at-the-old-patio-table-she-d-cleared-of-leaves-she-smiled-and/) [Sarah Addison Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-addison-allen/) > [Sometimes it's about less is more. It's about the seed. Thinking about this gigantic tree that you think is so beautiful but it started…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fred-durst/sometimes-it-s-about-less-is-more-it-s-about-the-seed-thinking-about/) [Fred Durst](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fred-durst/) > [I loved the game so much that even though our playing field was muddy and we had many trees on it, I used to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roberto-clemente/i-loved-the-game-so-much-that-even-though-our-playing-field-was-muddy/) [Roberto Clemente](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roberto-clemente/) ## More by Eva Figes > [It is a hidden fear that somehow, if they are only given a chance, women will suddenly do as they have been done by.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eva-figes/it-is-a-hidden-fear-that-somehow-if-they-are-only-given-a-chance/) [Eva Figes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eva-figes/) > [Monarchs not only fashion their age, but are fashioned by it, so that they can become a sort of personification of the age. If…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eva-figes/monarchs-not-only-fashion-their-age-but-are-fashioned-by-it-so-that/) [Eva Figes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eva-figes/) > [Providing for one's family as a good husband and father is a water-tight excuse for making money hand over fist.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eva-figes/providing-for-one-s-family-as-a-good-husband-and-father-is-a-water/) [Eva Figes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eva-figes/) > [But the gates of my happy childhood had clanged shut behind me; I had become adult enough to recognize the need to conceal unbearable…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eva-figes/but-the-gates-of-my-happy-childhood-had-clanged-shut-behind-me-i-had/) [Eva Figes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eva-figes/) > [Nothing comes back. The eye sees for a moment, the ear hears, but look, now it is gone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eva-figes/nothing-comes-back-the-eye-sees-for-a-moment-the-ear-hears-but-look/) [Eva Figes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eva-figes/) > [“Speak to me, wood pigeon. I need your voice.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eva-figes/speak-to-me-wood-pigeon-i-need-your-voice/) [Eva Figes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eva-figes/) > [The much vaunted male logic isn't logical, because they display prejudices against half the human race that are considered prejudices according to any dictionary…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eva-figes/the-much-vaunted-male-logic-isn-t-logical-because-they-display/) [Eva Figes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eva-figes/) > [grievance does not make for great art.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eva-figes/grievance-does-not-make-for-great-art/) [Eva Figes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eva-figes/) > [There is a hidden fear that somehow, if they are only given a chance, women will suddenly do as they have been done by.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eva-figes/there-is-a-hidden-fear-that-somehow-if-they-are-only-given-a-chance/) [Eva Figes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eva-figes/) > [For centuries the word 'nature' has been used to bolster prejudices or to express, not reality, but a state of affairs that the user…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eva-figes/for-centuries-the-word-nature-has-been-used-to-bolster-prejudices-or/) [Eva Figes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eva-figes/) > [Sadly, man recognises that the ideal, submissive woman he has created for himself is somehow not quite what he wanted.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eva-figes/sadly-man-recognises-that-the-ideal-submissive-woman-he-has-created/) [Eva Figes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eva-figes/) > [Providing for one's family as a good husband and father is a watertight excuse for making money hand over fist. Greed may be a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eva-figes/providing-for-one-s-family-as-a-good-husband-and-father-is-a/) [Eva Figes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eva-figes/) [Explore all 13 Eva Figes quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eva-figes/) ## More Trees quotes > [I loved the game so much that even though our playing field was muddy and we had many trees on it, I used to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roberto-clemente/i-loved-the-game-so-much-that-even-though-our-playing-field-was-muddy/) [Roberto Clemente](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roberto-clemente/) > [Sometimes it's about less is more. It's about the seed. Thinking about this gigantic tree that you think is so beautiful but it started…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fred-durst/sometimes-it-s-about-less-is-more-it-s-about-the-seed-thinking-about/) [Fred Durst](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fred-durst/) > [“Sitting at the old patio table she’d cleared of leaves, she smiled and leaned back. The stars looked twisted in the limbs of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-addison-allen/sitting-at-the-old-patio-table-she-d-cleared-of-leaves-she-smiled-and/) [Sarah Addison Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-addison-allen/) > [A tree is a self: it is 'unseen shaping' more than it is leaves or bark, roots or cellulose or fruit ... What this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-swimme/a-tree-is-a-self-it-is-unseen-shaping-more-than-it-is-leaves-or-bark/) [Brian Swimme](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-swimme/) > [Suddenly a mist of green on the trees, as quiet as thought.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dorothy-richardson/suddenly-a-mist-of-green-on-the-trees-as-quiet-as-thought/) [Dorothy Richardson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dorothy-richardson/) > [“a crime to fell a tree and light it on fire, where coals of hardened shit warmed and stunk up homes,”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hugh-howey/a-crime-to-fell-a-tree-and-light-it-on-fire-where-coals-of-hardened/) [Hugh Howey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hugh-howey/) > [“Nevermore Tree was gargantuan, a word which here means 'having attained an inordinate amount of botanical volume.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lemony-snicket/nevermore-tree-was-gargantuan-a-word-which-here-means-having-attained/) [Lemony Snicket](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lemony-snicket/) > [“Sentinels of trees breathe life into bodies of earthly flesh As their mighty arms reach to the stars we join in their quest for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ramon-ravenswood/sentinels-of-trees-breathe-life-into-bodies-of-earthly-flesh-as-their/) [Ramon Ravenswood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ramon-ravenswood/) > [You could be the leaf that never falls from the tree you could be the sun that never leaves the sky this might be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-levithan/you-could-be-the-leaf-that-never-falls-from-the-tree-you-could-be-the/) [David Levithan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-levithan/) > [The problem with drinking and driving is that trees defend themselves very well.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-problem-with-drinking-and-driving-is-that-trees-defend-themselves/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Meanwhile, the trees were just as green as before; the birds sang and the sun shone as clearly now as ever. The familiar surroundings…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-hardy/meanwhile-the-trees-were-just-as-green-as-before-the-birds-sang-and/) [Thomas Hardy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-hardy/) > [I liked climbing trees and could often be found up one reading a book. I played games with Dad and drew maps for him…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rhianna-pratchett/i-liked-climbing-trees-and-could-often-be-found-up-one-reading-a-book/) [Rhianna Pratchett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rhianna-pratchett/) > [You never quite know what you do in life that leaves a seed behind that grows into an oak tree.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-portillo/you-never-quite-know-what-you-do-in-life-that-leaves-a-seed-behind/) [Michael Portillo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-portillo/) > [During my first years in the Sierra, I was ever calling on everybody within reach to admire them, but I found no one half…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-muir/during-my-first-years-in-the-sierra-i-was-ever-calling-on-everybody/) [John Muir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-muir/) > [He removed several pages of death certificates, which were picked up by another breeze and sent into the trees. Some would fall with the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-safran-foer/he-removed-several-pages-of-death-certificates-which-were-picked-up/) [Jonathan Safran Foer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-safran-foer/) [Browse all 5,290 Trees quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/trees/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“But I know that the body I inhabit will only take so much, can only go so far. Rocks, stones, even the leaning twisting trees, all are harder and more enduring. 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