--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: In neglected fields the fern grows, which…" description: "\"In neglected fields the fern grows, which must be cleared out by fire.\" — Horace" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fd3/horace-172_ferns_in-neglected-fields-the-fern-grows-which_2066607.jpg" --- # In neglected fields the fern grows, which must be cleared… ![“In neglected fields the fern grows, which must be cleared out by fire.” quote by Horace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fd3/horace-172_ferns_in-neglected-fields-the-fern-grows-which_2066607.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fd3/horace-172_ferns_in-neglected-fields-the-fern-grows-which_2066607.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fd3/horace-172_ferns_in-neglected-fields-the-fern-grows-which_2066607.jpg) > “In neglected fields the fern grows, which must be cleared out by fire.” [Horace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Neglected areas become overrun with unwanted growth, which must be cleared by decisive action like fire. **In simple terms:** Ignoring problems leads to larger issues needing strong solutions. Key Takeaway Address neglect early. Themes nature maintenance discipline Mood cautious reflective Type practical philosophical When to use this quote - gardening - personal habits - organizational health Key Concepts growth cleansing renewal Questions to Reflect On - What neglected issues need your attention? - Are drastic measures always necessary? ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Fern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fern/) [Fire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fire/) ## Related quotes > [“The road climbs curving out of wet ground thick with cedars, and up onto a plateau meadow where Jersey cows, beautiful as deer, watching…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wallace-stegner-crossing-to-safety/the-road-climbs-curving-out-of-wet-ground-thick-with-cedars-and-up/) Wallace Stegner Crossing To Safety > [I'm sure the red fern has grown and has completely covered the two little mounds. I know it is still there, hiding its secret…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wilson-rawls/i-m-sure-the-red-fern-has-grown-and-has-completely-covered-the-two/) [Wilson Rawls](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wilson-rawls/) > [Being on Twitter is like having a fern.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-martin/being-on-twitter-is-like-having-a-fern/) [Steve Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-martin/) > [I had heard the old Indian legend about the red fern. How a little Indian boy and girl were lost in a blizzard and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wilson-rawls/i-had-heard-the-old-indian-legend-about-the-red-fern-how-a-little/) [Wilson Rawls](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wilson-rawls/) > [“Fern's never had very good luck with animals. She smothers them with affection and care and they thank her by croaking. Fern hasn't figured…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-harmon/fern-s-never-had-very-good-luck-with-animals-she-smothers-them-with/) [Amy Harmon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-harmon/) > [I have always believed it is not enough just to wear the silver fern and I do not regret pushing myself to try to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurel-hubbard/i-have-always-believed-it-is-not-enough-just-to-wear-the-silver-fern/) [Laurel Hubbard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurel-hubbard/) > [“What makes you different, makes you exceptional, Fern.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kara-swanson/what-makes-you-different-makes-you-exceptional-fern/) [Kara Swanson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kara-swanson/) > [“Fern has Ugly Girl Syndrome.” Bailey said, out of the blue. “Also known as UGS … She grew up thinking she was ugly. She…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-harmon/fern-has-ugly-girl-syndrome-bailey-said-out-of-the-blue-also-known-as/) [Amy Harmon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-harmon/) > [“She knelt on the walkway, and the plants bunched around her, each of them calling out their name: the philodendron was Dendy (he), the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-beth-durst/she-knelt-on-the-walkway-and-the-plants-bunched-around-her-each-of/) [Sarah Beth Durst](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-beth-durst/) > [Andy: Look at our love fern! It's dead! Ben: No it's only sleeping.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-hudson/andy-look-at-our-love-fern-it-s-dead-ben-no-it-s-only-sleeping/) [Kate Hudson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-hudson/) > [“Alles nahe werde fern.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/alles-nahe-werde-fern/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Schon ist alle Nähe fern”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/schon-ist-alle-n-he-fern/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [“News flash, Fern Taylor! Everything has changed! You are beautiful, I am hideous, you don’t need me anymore, but I sure as hell need…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-harmon/news-flash-fern-taylor-everything-has-changed-you-are-beautiful-i-am/) [Amy Harmon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-harmon/) > [“The cactus thrives in the desert while the fern thrives in the wetland. The fool will try to plant them in the same flowerbox.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vera-nazarian/the-cactus-thrives-in-the-desert-while-the-fern-thrives-in-the/) [Vera Nazarian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vera-nazarian/) > [“Give me your mouth, Fern. Please. Make it all go away.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-harmon/give-me-your-mouth-fern-please-make-it-all-go-away/) [Amy Harmon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-harmon/) ## More by Horace > [Strange - is it not? That of the myriads who Before us passed the door of Darkness through, Not one returns to tell us…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace/strange-is-it-not-that-of-the-myriads-who-before-us-passed-the-door/) [Horace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace/) > [“Finxerunt animi, raro et perpauca loquentis. (To action little, less to words inclinded.)”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace/finxerunt-animi-raro-et-perpauca-loquentis-to-action-little-less-to/) [Horace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace/) > [No verse can give pleasure for long, nor last, that is written by drinkers of water.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace/no-verse-can-give-pleasure-for-long-nor-last-that-is-written-by/) [Horace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace/) > [Fate with impartial hand turns out the doom of high and low; her capacious urn is constantly shaking the names of all mankind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace/fate-with-impartial-hand-turns-out-the-doom-of-high-and-low-her/) [Horace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace/) > [A word, once sent abroad, flies irrevocably.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace/a-word-once-sent-abroad-flies-irrevocably/) [Horace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace/) > [“Natales grate numeras? (Do you count your birthdays with gratitude?)”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace/natales-grate-numeras-do-you-count-your-birthdays-with-gratitude/) [Horace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace/) > [ In a moment comes either death or joyful victory. \[Lat., Horae Momento cita mors venit aut victoria laeta.\] ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace/in-a-moment-comes-either-death-or-joyful-victory-lat-horae-momento/) [Horace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace/) > [Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori - It is a sweet and becoming thing to die for ones country.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace/dulce-et-decorum-est-pro-patria-mori-it-is-a-sweet-and-becoming-thing/) [Horace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace/) > [ Neither men, nor gods, nor booksellers' shelves permit ordinary poets to exist. \[Lat., Mediocribus esse poetis Non homines, non di, non concessere columnae.\] ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace/neither-men-nor-gods-nor-booksellers-shelves-permit-ordinary-poets-to/) [Horace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace/) > [Don't yield to that alluring witch, laziness, or else be prepared to surrender all that you have won in your better moments.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace/don-t-yield-to-that-alluring-witch-laziness-or-else-be-prepared-to/) [Horace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace/) > [Avoid inquisitive persons, for they are sure to be gossips, their ears are open to hear, but they will not keep what is entrusted…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace/avoid-inquisitive-persons-for-they-are-sure-to-be-gossips-their-ears/) [Horace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace/) > [“You may drive out Nature with a pitchfork, yet she still will hurry back.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace/you-may-drive-out-nature-with-a-pitchfork-yet-she-still-will-hurry/) [Horace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace/) > [There is a proper measure in all things, certain limits beyond which and short of which right is not to be found. Who so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace/there-is-a-proper-measure-in-all-things-certain-limits-beyond-which/) [Horace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace/) > [Never despair while under the guidance and auspices of Teucer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace/never-despair-while-under-the-guidance-and-auspices-of-teucer/) [Horace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace/) > [Alas, Postumus, the fleeting years slip by, nor will piety give any stay to wrinkles and pressing old age and untamable death.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace/alas-postumus-the-fleeting-years-slip-by-nor-will-piety-give-any-stay/) [Horace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace/) [Explore all 1,000 Horace quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace/) ## More Fern quotes > [“The road climbs curving out of wet ground thick with cedars, and up onto a plateau meadow where Jersey cows, beautiful as deer, watching…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wallace-stegner-crossing-to-safety/the-road-climbs-curving-out-of-wet-ground-thick-with-cedars-and-up/) Wallace Stegner Crossing To Safety > [“The cactus thrives in the desert while the fern thrives in the wetland. The fool will try to plant them in the same flowerbox.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vera-nazarian/the-cactus-thrives-in-the-desert-while-the-fern-thrives-in-the/) [Vera Nazarian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vera-nazarian/) > [“News flash, Fern Taylor! Everything has changed! You are beautiful, I am hideous, you don’t need me anymore, but I sure as hell need…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-harmon/news-flash-fern-taylor-everything-has-changed-you-are-beautiful-i-am/) [Amy Harmon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-harmon/) > [Being on Twitter is like having a fern.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-martin/being-on-twitter-is-like-having-a-fern/) [Steve Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-martin/) > [“Schon ist alle Nähe fern”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/schon-ist-alle-n-he-fern/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [“Alles nahe werde fern.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/alles-nahe-werde-fern/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I had heard the old Indian legend about the red fern. How a little Indian boy and girl were lost in a blizzard and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wilson-rawls/i-had-heard-the-old-indian-legend-about-the-red-fern-how-a-little/) [Wilson Rawls](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wilson-rawls/) > [Andy: Look at our love fern! It's dead! Ben: No it's only sleeping.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-hudson/andy-look-at-our-love-fern-it-s-dead-ben-no-it-s-only-sleeping/) [Kate Hudson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-hudson/) > [“She knelt on the walkway, and the plants bunched around her, each of them calling out their name: the philodendron was Dendy (he), the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-beth-durst/she-knelt-on-the-walkway-and-the-plants-bunched-around-her-each-of/) [Sarah Beth Durst](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-beth-durst/) > [“Fern has Ugly Girl Syndrome.” Bailey said, out of the blue. “Also known as UGS … She grew up thinking she was ugly. She…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-harmon/fern-has-ugly-girl-syndrome-bailey-said-out-of-the-blue-also-known-as/) [Amy Harmon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-harmon/) > [“What makes you different, makes you exceptional, Fern.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kara-swanson/what-makes-you-different-makes-you-exceptional-fern/) [Kara Swanson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kara-swanson/) > [I have always believed it is not enough just to wear the silver fern and I do not regret pushing myself to try to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurel-hubbard/i-have-always-believed-it-is-not-enough-just-to-wear-the-silver-fern/) [Laurel Hubbard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurel-hubbard/) > [“Fern's never had very good luck with animals. She smothers them with affection and care and they thank her by croaking. Fern hasn't figured…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-harmon/fern-s-never-had-very-good-luck-with-animals-she-smothers-them-with/) [Amy Harmon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-harmon/) > [I'm sure the red fern has grown and has completely covered the two little mounds. I know it is still there, hiding its secret…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wilson-rawls/i-m-sure-the-red-fern-has-grown-and-has-completely-covered-the-two/) [Wilson Rawls](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wilson-rawls/) > [“Give me your mouth, Fern. Please. Make it all go away.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-harmon/give-me-your-mouth-fern-please-make-it-all-go-away/) [Amy Harmon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-harmon/) [Browse all 18 Fern quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fern/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "In neglected fields the fern grows, which must be cleared out by fire.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Horace" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace/in-neglected-fields-the-fern-grows-which-must-be-cleared-out-by-fire/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Fern" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace/in-neglected-fields-the-fern-grows-which-must-be-cleared-out-by-fire/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fd3/horace-172_ferns_in-neglected-fields-the-fern-grows-which_2066607.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fd3/horace-172_ferns_in-neglected-fields-the-fern-grows-which_2066607.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fd3/horace-172_ferns_in-neglected-fields-the-fern-grows-which_2066607.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“In neglected fields the fern grows, which must be cleared out by fire.” — Horace", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Horace", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "In neglected fields the fern grows,...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace/in-neglected-fields-the-fern-grows-which-must-be-cleared-out-by-fire/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace/in-neglected-fields-the-fern-grows-which-must-be-cleared-out-by-fire/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```