Biologists Quote by Gene Wolfe
““I have sometimes thought that the reason the trees are so quiet in the summer is that they are in a sort of ecstasy; it is in winter, when the biologists tell us they sleep, that they are most awake, because the sun is gone and they are addicts without their drug, sleeping restlessly and often waking, walking the dark corridors of forests searching for the sun.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Book of the New Sun by Gene Wolfe, 1980
Trees appear tranquil in summer but become restless in winter, seeking sunlight like addicts missing a drug.
In simple terms: Trees are calm in summer, restless in winter without sun.
Key Takeaway
Notice how environments change with seasons.
Themes
nature
seasonality
dependence
Mood
reflective
poetic
Type
observational
metaphorical
When to use this quote
- gardening
- forest walks
- seasonal health routines
Key Concepts
ecology
psychology
anthropomorphism
Questions to Reflect On
- How does seasonal change affect your own energy?
- What does “addiction” metaphor reveal about human dependence?
A Different Perspective
Winter restlessness may be overstated; trees have different metabolic cycles.
![“...in some situations winning consist[s] of disentangling oneself.” quote by Gene Wolfe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/66a/gene-wolfe-2530_oneself_in-some-situations-winning-consist-s-of_219805.jpg)
