Authority Quote by Henry David Thoreau
“Why should not we, who have renounced the king's authority, have our national preserves, where no villages need be destroyed, in which the bear and panther, and some even of the hunter race, may still exist, and not be "civilized off the face of the earth," - our forests, not to hold the king's game merely, but to hold and preserve the king himself also, the lord of creation, - not for idle sport or food, but for inspiration and our own true re-creation?”
About This Quote
Source Essay: "Civil Disobedience", 1849
Preserving wild nature sustains humanity's deeper spiritual and creative needs beyond mere utility.
In simple terms: Nature preserves humanity's spirit.
Support and protect wild spaces.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- urban planning
- education
- personal meditation
- policy advocacy
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- What would a world without wild places look like?
- How can you integrate wilderness into daily life?
Modern life often values exploitation over preservation.