---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I do think that our bodies are capable of…"
description: "\"I do think that our bodies are capable of many magical and inexplicable things that have nothing to do with reproduction. I have read that some birds m..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bb6/jenny-johnson-62170_biology_i-do-think-that-our-bodies-are-capable-o_1263224.jpg"
---

#  I do think that our bodies are capable of many magical and…

![“I do think that our bodies are capable of many magical and inexplicable things that have nothing to do with reproduction. I have read that some birds may sing just for pleasure and not for any other Darwinian imperative. Birds singing because it feels good - that's the kind of biology that helps…” quote by Jenny Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bb6/jenny-johnson-62170_biology_i-do-think-that-our-bodies-are-capable-o_1263224.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bb6/jenny-johnson-62170_biology_i-do-think-that-our-bodies-are-capable-o_1263224.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bb6/jenny-johnson-62170_biology_i-do-think-that-our-bodies-are-capable-o_1263224.jpg)

> “I do think that our bodies are capable of many magical and inexplicable things that have nothing to do with reproduction. I have read that some birds may sing just for pleasure and not for any other Darwinian imperative. Birds singing because it feels good - that's the kind of biology that helps me understand this diverse world.”

[Jenny Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jenny-johnson/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Birds sing for pleasure, showing biology can be driven by joy, not just reproduction.

**In simple terms:** Birds sing because it feels good.

Key Takeaway

Appreciate non-reproductive motivations in nature.

Themes

nature joy biology

Mood

contemplative wonderful

Type

informative philosophical

When to use this quote

- wildlife observation
- conservation education
- creative writing
- science communication

Key Concepts

ethology evolutionary theory animal behavior

Questions to Reflect On

- What other animal actions might be driven by pleasure?
- How does recognizing joy in nature affect our worldview?

A Different Perspective

Not all biological behaviors are purely utilitarian.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Biology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/biology/) [Bird](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bird/) [Birds Sing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/birds-sing/) [Birds Singing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/birds-singing/) [Capable](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/capable/) [Diverse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/diverse/) [Feel good](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/feel-good/) [Help me](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/help-me/) [Helping](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/helping/) [Kind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/kind/) [Pleasure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pleasure/) [Pleasure Darwinian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pleasure-darwinian-4024268/) [Reproduction](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reproduction/) [Singing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/singing/) [Things Reproduction](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/things-reproduction-4024267/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world/)

## Related quotes

> [People find birdsong relaxing and reassuring because over thousands of years, they have learnt when the birds sing, they are safe; it's when birds…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julian-treasure/people-find-birdsong-relaxing-and-reassuring-because-over-thousands/)

[Julian Treasure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julian-treasure/)

> [Birds sing after the storm, why shouldnt people feel as free to delight in whatever sunlight remains to them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melchor-lim/birds-sing-after-the-storm-why-shouldnt-people-feel-as-free-to/)

[Melchor Lim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melchor-lim/)

> [The perfume of the flowers and of the bay tree are wafted on high, like incense. The birds sing sweet songs of praise to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-wendt/the-perfume-of-the-flowers-and-of-the-bay-tree-are-wafted-on-high/)

[William Wendt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-wendt/)

> [I write as the birds sing, because I must, and usually from the same source of inspiration.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gene-stratton-porter/i-write-as-the-birds-sing-because-i-must-and-usually-from-the-same/)

[Gene Stratton-Porter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gene-stratton-porter/)

> [Why do birds sing in the morning? It's the triumphant shout: 'We got through another night!'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/enid-bagnold/why-do-birds-sing-in-the-morning-it-s-the-triumphant-shout-we-got/)

[Enid Bagnold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/enid-bagnold/)

> [“Tom once told him that birds sing differently before and after a storm. Benny didn't know if that was true, but he could understand…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/tom-once-told-him-that-birds-sing-differently-before-and-after-a/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [Birds sing after a storm; why shouldn't people feel as free to delight in whatever sunlight remains to them?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/birds-sing-after-a-storm-why-shouldn-t-people-feel-as-free-to-delight/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [“If he'd been able to he would have rolled out a rose-petal carpet at her feet. He would have liked to conduct an orchestra…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jos-eduardo-agualusa/if-he-d-been-able-to-he-would-have-rolled-out-a-rose-petal-carpet-at/)

[José Eduardo Agualusa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jos-eduardo-agualusa/)

> [All who ask receive, those who seek find, and to those who knock it shall be opened. Therefore, let us knock at the beautiful…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-of-damascus/all-who-ask-receive-those-who-seek-find-and-to-those-who-knock-it/)

[John of Damascus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-of-damascus/)

> [Keep the child within alive. A child never tires of hearing the birds sing, never gets bored looking at flowers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mata-amritanandamayi/keep-the-child-within-alive-a-child-never-tires-of-hearing-the-birds/)

[Mata Amritanandamayi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mata-amritanandamayi/)

> [The Admiral says that he never beheld so fair a thing: trees all along the river, beautiful and green, and different from ours, with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-columbus/the-admiral-says-that-he-never-beheld-so-fair-a-thing-trees-all-along/)

[Christopher Columbus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-columbus/)

> [I cannot sing the old songs Though well I know the tune, Familiar as a cradle-song With sleep-compelling croon; Yet though I'm filled with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-jones-burdette/i-cannot-sing-the-old-songs-though-well-i-know-the-tune-familiar-as-a/)

[Robert Jones Burdette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-jones-burdette/)

> [How did it happen that their lips came together? How does it happen that birds sing, that snow melts, that the rose unfolds, that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victor-hugo/how-did-it-happen-that-their-lips-came-together-how-does-it-happen/)

[Victor Hugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victor-hugo/)

> [How can you expect the birds to sing when their groves are cut down?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/how-can-you-expect-the-birds-to-sing-when-their-groves-are-cut-down/)

[Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/)

> [Birds sing after a storm; why shouldn't people feel as free to delight in whatever remains to them?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/birds-sing-after-a-storm-why-shouldn-t-people-feel-as-free-to-delight-2/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

## More by Jenny Johnson

> [A poem is a liminal space that can offer a sensation of belonging. A poem won't bring you a cold beer, but it may…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jenny-johnson/a-poem-is-a-liminal-space-that-can-offer-a-sensation-of-belonging-a/)

[Jenny Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jenny-johnson/)

> [On the key to a successful Twitter account: Write the things that you think are funny and that's what's gonna click with people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jenny-johnson/on-the-key-to-a-successful-twitter-account-write-the-things-that-you/)

[Jenny Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jenny-johnson/)

> [I think normative or binary lenses for seeing bodies often crush or delegitimize other felt physical experiences of being and desiring. I've found that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jenny-johnson/i-think-normative-or-binary-lenses-for-seeing-bodies-often-crush-or/)

[Jenny Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jenny-johnson/)

> [Writing for me is an ongoing practice of facing and countering fears. And so, in that sense, I have always been responding to phobias.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jenny-johnson/writing-for-me-is-an-ongoing-practice-of-facing-and-countering-fears/)

[Jenny Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jenny-johnson/)

[Explore all 5 Jenny Johnson quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jenny-johnson/)

## More Biology quotes

> [In the fight between biology and morality, biology has commonly won in the end.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/semir-zeki/in-the-fight-between-biology-and-morality-biology-has-commonly-won-in/)

[Semir Zeki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/semir-zeki/)

> [“Genetics is a science full of gods, Mr. Sanchez.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/valeria-luiselli/genetics-is-a-science-full-of-gods-mr-sanchez/)

[Valeria Luiselli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/valeria-luiselli/)

> [We became Homo sapiens not that long ago, from the scientific perspective, and we've retained a lot of our beast nature. We've done all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wangechi-mutu/we-became-homo-sapiens-not-that-long-ago-from-the-scientific/)

[Wangechi Mutu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wangechi-mutu/)

> [Evolution happens in jumps, very rapidly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marilyn-ferguson/evolution-happens-in-jumps-very-rapidly/)

[Marilyn Ferguson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marilyn-ferguson/)

> [“Toshiaki learned that all living organisms were governed by their DNA. He was impressed by perfection of this system.Why did existence have the ability…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hideaki-sena/toshiaki-learned-that-all-living-organisms-were-governed-by-their-dna/)

[Hideaki Sena](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hideaki-sena/)

> [I'm all about evolution. I'm the first person to judge myself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/the-weeknd/i-m-all-about-evolution-i-m-the-first-person-to-judge-myself/)

[The Weeknd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/the-weeknd/)

> [We are somehow the children of the planet, we are somehow its finest hour; we bind time, we bind the past, we anticipate the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terence-mckenna/we-are-somehow-the-children-of-the-planet-we-are-somehow-its-finest/)

[Terence McKenna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terence-mckenna/)

> [I think the ethics and morals of genetic engineering are very complicated. It intrigues me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-spottiswoode/i-think-the-ethics-and-morals-of-genetic-engineering-are-very/)

[Roger Spottiswoode](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-spottiswoode/)

> [Biochemists and biologists who adhere blindly to the Darwinism theory search for results that will be in agreement with their theories and consequently orient…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pierre-paul-grasse/biochemists-and-biologists-who-adhere-blindly-to-the-darwinism-theory/)

[Pierre-Paul Grasse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pierre-paul-grasse/)

> [“A note of caution: epigenetics is also on the verge of transforming into a dangerous idea. Epigenetic modifications of genes can potentially superpose historical…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/siddhartha-mukherjee/a-note-of-caution-epigenetics-is-also-on-the-verge-of-transforming/)

[Siddhartha Mukherjee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/siddhartha-mukherjee/)

> [Natural history is not taught in seminary. This is curious, as most people in pastoral ministry are about 567 times more likely to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sara-maitland/natural-history-is-not-taught-in-seminary-this-is-curious-as-most/)

[Sara Maitland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sara-maitland/)

> [We are coming to a place where the road ends. From here on out, we will be making the road as we walk it,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-atlee/we-are-coming-to-a-place-where-the-road-ends-from-here-on-out-we-will/)

[Tom Atlee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-atlee/)

> [I've always been interested in medicine and was pleased when my brother became a doctor. But after thinking seriously about that field, I realized…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lois-lowry/i-ve-always-been-interested-in-medicine-and-was-pleased-when-my/)

[Lois Lowry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lois-lowry/)

> [Evolution... is the most powerful and the most comprehensive idea that has ever arisen on Earth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julian-huxley/evolution-is-the-most-powerful-and-the-most-comprehensive-idea-that/)

[Julian Huxley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julian-huxley/)

> [History employs evolution to structure biological events in time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-jay-gould/history-employs-evolution-to-structure-biological-events-in-time/)

[Stephen Jay Gould](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-jay-gould/)

[Browse all 3,034 Biology quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/biology/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "I do think that our bodies are capable of many magical and inexplicable things that have nothing to do with reproduction. I have read that some birds may sing just for pleasure and not for any other Darwinian imperative. Birds singing because it feels good - that's the kind of biology that helps me understand this diverse world.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Jenny Johnson"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jenny-johnson/i-do-think-that-our-bodies-are-capable-of-many-magical-and/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Biology"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jenny-johnson/i-do-think-that-our-bodies-are-capable-of-many-magical-and/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bb6/jenny-johnson-62170_biology_i-do-think-that-our-bodies-are-capable-o_1263224.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bb6/jenny-johnson-62170_biology_i-do-think-that-our-bodies-are-capable-o_1263224.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bb6/jenny-johnson-62170_biology_i-do-think-that-our-bodies-are-capable-o_1263224.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“I do think that our bodies are capable of many magical and inexplicable things that have nothing to do with…” — Jenny Johnson",
                "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": "Jenny Johnson",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jenny-johnson/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "I do think that our bodies...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jenny-johnson/i-do-think-that-our-bodies-are-capable-of-many-magical-and/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jenny-johnson/i-do-think-that-our-bodies-are-capable-of-many-magical-and/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
