Catching fish Quote by John Burroughs
“Writing is reporting what we saw after the vision has left us. It is catching the fish which the tide has left far up on our shores in the low and depressed places.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: "The Writing of Nature" by John Burroughs, 1895
The quote suggests that writing captures reality after imagination fades, retrieving overlooked details like fish stranded by a receding tide.
In simple terms: Writing records reality after imagination fades, retrieving missed details.
Key Takeaway
Observe and document what is often ignored.
Themes
observation
writing
detail
Mood
reflective
contemplative
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- nature journaling
- journalistic reporting
- creative nonfiction
- historical documentation
Key Concepts
transcendence
impermanence
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you ensure you capture truth, not just what you wish to see?
- What details do you overlook in daily life?
A Different Perspective
It may romanticize the act of writing, ignoring the writer’s bias.
