--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: There is more beauty than our eyes can…" description: "\"There is more beauty than our eyes can bear, precious things have been put into our hands and to do nothing to honor them is to do great harm.\" — Maril..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/44c/marilynne-robinson-602_bears_there-is-more-beauty-than-our-eyes-can-b_507946.png" --- # There is more beauty than our eyes can bear, precious… ![“There is more beauty than our eyes can bear, precious things have been put into our hands and to do nothing to honor them is to do great harm.” quote by Marilynne Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/44c/marilynne-robinson-602_bears_there-is-more-beauty-than-our-eyes-can-b_507946.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/44c/marilynne-robinson-602_bears_there-is-more-beauty-than-our-eyes-can-b_507946.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/44c/marilynne-robinson-602_bears_there-is-more-beauty-than-our-eyes-can-b_507946.png) > “There is more beauty than our eyes can bear, precious things have been put into our hands and to do nothing to honor them is to do great harm.” [Marilynne Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marilynne-robinson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. There is more beauty than we can perceive; neglecting it causes great harm. **In simple terms:** We must honor the abundant beauty around us. Key Takeaway Act to preserve and cherish beauty. Themes beauty responsibility environment Mood thoughtful inspirational Type ethical philosophical When to use this quote - conservation - art appreciation - community service - personal reflection Key Concepts ethics aesthetics Questions to Reflect On - How can we responsibly engage with overwhelming beauty? - What actions honor the gifts we receive? A Different Perspective Overwhelm can lead to inaction. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Bears](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bears/) [Beauty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/beauty/) [Harm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/harm/) [Honor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/honor/) [Precious things](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/precious-things/) ## Related quotes > [“The fact that they viewed their wealth as a result of their own hands, without any honor other than lip service being given to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lee-goff/the-fact-that-they-viewed-their-wealth-as-a-result-of-their-own-hands/) [Lee Goff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lee-goff/) > [“Yes," agreed Childermass, "very great harm! For while he was in the pantry he ate three meat-pies." "And two cream cheeses," added Lucas. Mr.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susanna-clarke/yes-agreed-childermass-very-great-harm-for-while-he-was-in-the-pantry/) [Susanna Clarke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susanna-clarke/) > [As the arrow that leaves the bow cannot be recaptured, what we say, senselessly, about others causes us great harm.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sylvia-fraser/as-the-arrow-that-leaves-the-bow-cannot-be-recaptured-what-we-say/) [Sylvia Fraser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sylvia-fraser/) > [Studies say great harm can be done to a person if the connection between mother and child isn´t there from the start. Love is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-sewitsky/studies-say-great-harm-can-be-done-to-a-person-if-the-connection/) Anne Sewitsky > [The very technologies that empower us to do great good can also be used to undermine us and inflict great harm.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/the-very-technologies-that-empower-us-to-do-great-good-can-also-be/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [One doesn’t have to operate with great malice to do great harm. The absence of empathy and understanding are sufficient. In fact, a man…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-m-blow/one-doesn-t-have-to-operate-with-great-malice-to-do-great-harm-the-2/) [Charles M. Blow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-m-blow/) > [B2uties are the most precious thing to me in this world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yoseob/b2uties-are-the-most-precious-thing-to-me-in-this-world/) [Yoseob](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yoseob/) > [The Book of Mormon, the record of Joseph, verifies and clarifies the Bible. It removes stumbling blocks; it restores many plain and precious things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ezra-taft-benson/the-book-of-mormon-the-record-of-joseph-verifies-and-clarifies-the/) [Ezra Taft Benson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ezra-taft-benson/) > [The Bible is to me the most precious thing in the world, because it tells me his story; and what good men thought about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-macdonald/the-bible-is-to-me-the-most-precious-thing-in-the-world-because-it/) [George MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-macdonald/) > [Every moment was a precious thing, having in it the essence of finality.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daphne-du-maurier/every-moment-was-a-precious-thing-having-in-it-the-essence-of-finality/) [Daphne du Maurier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daphne-du-maurier/) > [Truth is the most precious thing. That's why we should ration it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vladimir-lenin/truth-is-the-most-precious-thing-that-s-why-we-should-ration-it/) [Vladimir Lenin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vladimir-lenin/) > [The vulnerability of precious things is beautiful because vulnerability is a mark of existence. The destruction of Troy. The fall of the petals from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simone-weil/the-vulnerability-of-precious-things-is-beautiful-because/) [Simone Weil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simone-weil/) > [Love - true love - is a precious thing. It is painful, uncomfortable, makes fools of us all, but it is what breathes meaning…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-mosse/love-true-love-is-a-precious-thing-it-is-painful-uncomfortable-makes/) [Kate Mosse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-mosse/) > [The most precious thing in the world: me, because if there was no me, nothing could work out in this world](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kim-heechul/the-most-precious-thing-in-the-world-me-because-if-there-was-no-me/) [Kim Heechul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kim-heechul/) > [The most precious things in life are not those you get for money.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/the-most-precious-things-in-life-are-not-those-you-get-for-money/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) ## More by Marilynne Robinson > [“But I’ve developed a great reputation for wisdom by ordering more books than I ever had time to read, and reading more books, by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marilynne-robinson/but-i-ve-developed-a-great-reputation-for-wisdom-by-ordering-more/) [Marilynne Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marilynne-robinson/) > [For our purposes as human beings, the mind is the center of everything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marilynne-robinson/for-our-purposes-as-human-beings-the-mind-is-the-center-of-everything/) [Marilynne Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marilynne-robinson/) > [“I think sometimes there might be an advantage in making people aware how worn and stale these old transgressions are. It might take some…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marilynne-robinson/i-think-sometimes-there-might-be-an-advantage-in-making-people-aware/) [Marilynne Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marilynne-robinson/) > [There are two occasions when the sacred beauty of Creation becomes dazzlingly apparent, and they occur together. One is when we feel our mortal…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marilynne-robinson/there-are-two-occasions-when-the-sacred-beauty-of-creation-becomes/) [Marilynne Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marilynne-robinson/) > [My Calvinism persuades me that we are open to God, in the sense that we are not delimited, not organisms with fixed attributes in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marilynne-robinson/my-calvinism-persuades-me-that-we-are-open-to-god-in-the-sense-that/) [Marilynne Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marilynne-robinson/) > [“You can know a thing to death and be for all purposes completely ignorant of it. A man can know his father, or his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marilynne-robinson/you-can-know-a-thing-to-death-and-be-for-all-purposes-completely/) [Marilynne Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marilynne-robinson/) > [I listen to Bach a great deal. In general I like to listen to hymns and liturgical music.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marilynne-robinson/i-listen-to-bach-a-great-deal-in-general-i-like-to-listen-to-hymns/) [Marilynne Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marilynne-robinson/) > [“Every writer I know, when asked how to become a writer, responds with one word:Read.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marilynne-robinson/every-writer-i-know-when-asked-how-to-become-a-writer-responds-with/) [Marilynne Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marilynne-robinson/) > [“Faith for her was habit and family loyalty, a reverence for the Bible which was also literary, admiration for her mother and father. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marilynne-robinson/faith-for-her-was-habit-and-family-loyalty-a-reverence-for-the-bible/) [Marilynne Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marilynne-robinson/) > [“Prayer is a discipline in truthfulness, in honesty.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marilynne-robinson/prayer-is-a-discipline-in-truthfulness-in-honesty/) [Marilynne Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marilynne-robinson/) > [“The full soul loatheth an honeycomb; but to the hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet.’ There are pleasures to be found where you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marilynne-robinson/the-full-soul-loatheth-an-honeycomb-but-to-the-hungry-soul-every/) [Marilynne Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marilynne-robinson/) > [I sometimes am discouraged by what seems to be a sort of conventional disparagement of humankind. I think often people feel that they are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marilynne-robinson/i-sometimes-am-discouraged-by-what-seems-to-be-a-sort-of-conventional/) [Marilynne Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marilynne-robinson/) > [Now that I look back, it seems to me that in all that deep darkness a miracle was preparing. So I am right to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marilynne-robinson/now-that-i-look-back-it-seems-to-me-that-in-all-that-deep-darkness-a/) [Marilynne Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marilynne-robinson/) > [“My grandfather once told her if you couldn't read with cold feet, there wouldn't be a literate soul in the state of Maine.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marilynne-robinson/my-grandfather-once-told-her-if-you-couldn-t-read-with-cold-feet/) [Marilynne Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marilynne-robinson/) > [“Cranky old Leviticus gave us—gave Christ—not only “Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself” but also the rather forgotten “Thou shalt love the stranger…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marilynne-robinson/cranky-old-leviticus-gave-us-gave-christ-not-only-thou-shalt-love-thy/) [Marilynne Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marilynne-robinson/) [Explore all 450 Marilynne Robinson quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marilynne-robinson/) ## More Bears quotes > [For not only every democracy, but certainly every republic, bears within itself the seeds of its own destruction.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/for-not-only-every-democracy-but-certainly-every-republic-bears/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [She'd read once that if you ran into a bear in the woods you should avoid eye contact and you shouldn't run away, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-ursu/she-d-read-once-that-if-you-ran-into-a-bear-in-the-woods-you-should/) [Anne Ursu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-ursu/) > [In the movie, the stars above the ship bear no correspondence to any constellations in a real sky. Worse yet, while the heroine bobs...…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-degrasse-tyson/in-the-movie-the-stars-above-the-ship-bear-no-correspondence-to-any/) [Neil deGrasse Tyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-degrasse-tyson/) > [Television series are like the stock market. There's room for bears and bulls but no room for pigs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-newhart/television-series-are-like-the-stock-market-there-s-room-for-bears/) [Bob Newhart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-newhart/) > [The Germans are the most philosophic people in the world, and the greatest smokers: now I trace their philosophy to their smoking. Smoking has…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-henry-borrow/the-germans-are-the-most-philosophic-people-in-the-world-and-the/) [George Henry Borrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-henry-borrow/) > [...Gratitude transforms the torment of memory of good things now gone into silent joy. One bears what was lovely in the past not as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dietrich-bonhoeffer/gratitude-transforms-the-torment-of-memory-of-good-things-now-gone/) [Dietrich Bonhoeffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dietrich-bonhoeffer/) > [You've had a whole lot of experience, but everything is also radically new at each moment, and you have to bring a kind of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-houston/you-ve-had-a-whole-lot-of-experience-but-everything-is-also-radically/) [Jean Houston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-houston/) > [The rationale which accompanies that imposition of male authority euphemistically referred to as 'the battle of the sexes' bears a certain resemblance to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-millett/the-rationale-which-accompanies-that-imposition-of-male-authority/) [Kate Millett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-millett/) > [Pay no heed to the passing religious vogue. Go back to the grass roots. Open your hearts and search the Scriptures. Bear your cross,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aiden-wilson-tozer/pay-no-heed-to-the-passing-religious-vogue-go-back-to-the-grass-roots/) [Aiden Wilson Tozer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aiden-wilson-tozer/) > [I want you to take a red-hot bath as hot as you can bear it, and just relax your nerves. You can read in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/f-scott-fitzgerald/i-want-you-to-take-a-red-hot-bath-as-hot-as-you-can-bear-it-and-just/) [F. Scott Fitzgerald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/f-scott-fitzgerald/) > [He sank into the rocking chair, the same one in which Rebecca had sat during the early days of the house to give embroidery…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gabriel-garc-a-m-rquez/he-sank-into-the-rocking-chair-the-same-one-in-which-rebecca-had-sat/) [Gabriel Garcia Marquez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gabriel-garc-a-m-rquez/) > [Some things in this world just ain't meant to be, not in the times we want 'em to, and the heart has to hold…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-mcbride/some-things-in-this-world-just-ain-t-meant-to-be-not-in-the-times-we/) [James McBride](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-mcbride/) > [And if anyone knows anything about anything," said Bear to himself, "it's Owl who knows something about something," he said, "or my name's not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/and-if-anyone-knows-anything-about-anything-said-bear-to-himself-it-s/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I'm totally independent. I don't bear any responsibility to any system.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ai-weiwei/i-m-totally-independent-i-don-t-bear-any-responsibility-to-any-system/) [Ai Weiwei](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ai-weiwei/) > [I'm supportive of women, absolutely, and it's so gratifying to have girls come up and say, 'I'm really inspired by your guitar playing.' I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/st-vincent/i-m-supportive-of-women-absolutely-and-it-s-so-gratifying-to-have/) [St. Vincent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/st-vincent/) [Browse all 4,111 Bears quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bears/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "There is more beauty than our eyes can bear, precious things have been put into our hands and to do nothing to honor them is to do great harm.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Marilynne Robinson" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marilynne-robinson/there-is-more-beauty-than-our-eyes-can-bear-precious-things-have-been/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Bears" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marilynne-robinson/there-is-more-beauty-than-our-eyes-can-bear-precious-things-have-been/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/44c/marilynne-robinson-602_bears_there-is-more-beauty-than-our-eyes-can-b_507946.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/44c/marilynne-robinson-602_bears_there-is-more-beauty-than-our-eyes-can-b_507946.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/44c/marilynne-robinson-602_bears_there-is-more-beauty-than-our-eyes-can-b_507946.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“There is more beauty than our eyes can bear, precious things have been put into our hands and to do nothing…” — Marilynne Robinson", "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": "Marilynne Robinson", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marilynne-robinson/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "There is more beauty than our...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marilynne-robinson/there-is-more-beauty-than-our-eyes-can-bear-precious-things-have-been/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marilynne-robinson/there-is-more-beauty-than-our-eyes-can-bear-precious-things-have-been/#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 } } ] } ```