Birth Quote by Loren Eiseley
““Man would not be man if his dreams did not exceed his grasp. ... Like John Donne, man lies in a close prison, yet it is dear to him. Like Donne's, his thoughts at times overleap the sun and pace beyond the body. If I term humanity a slime mold organism it is because our present environment suggest it. If I remember the sunflower forest it is because from its hidden reaches man arose. The green world is his sacred center. In moments of sanity he must still seek refuge there. ... If I dream by contrast of the eventual drift of the star voyagers through the dilated time of the universe, it is because I have seen thistledown off to new worlds and am at heart a voyager who, in this modern time, still yearns for the lost country of his birth.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The World Is a Machine, Loren Eiseley, 1970
Human aspirations exceed current limits, urging us to seek refuge in nature and imagine beyond.
In simple terms: Dreams surpass our grasp, urging connection with nature and imagination.
Key Takeaway
Embrace wonder, stay rooted in nature while dreaming big.
Themes
aspiration
nature
humanity
exploration
Mood
reflective
inspirational
Type
philosophical
poetic
When to use this quote
- personal growth
- creative writing
- scientific research
- environmental activism
Key Concepts
cosmology
philosophy
ecology
Questions to Reflect On
- What limits your dreams?
- How can nature ground your aspirations?
A Different Perspective
Dreams may clash with practical constraints and societal expectations.
