Conservation Quote by John Fowles
““We shall never fully understand nature (or ourselves), and certainly never respect it, until we dissociate the wild from the notion of usability - however innocent and harmless the use. For it is the general uselessness of so much of nature that lies at the root of our ancient hostility and indifference to it.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: The French Lieutenant’s Woman, 1969
Human beings often separate nature from utility, leading to exploitation and indifference
In simple terms: We ignore nature’s value when we only see usefulness
Key Takeaway
Respect nature beyond its practical use
Themes
environment
philosophy
ethics
Mood
somber
reflective
Type
philosophical
environmental
When to use this quote
- urban planning
- resource extraction
- education curricula
- personal consumption
Key Concepts
anthropocentrism
ecocentrism
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we value nature for its own sake?
- What policies protect nature beyond utility?
A Different Perspective
Changing attitudes is slow and resisted
