Animal Quote by May Sarton
“Does anything in nature despair except man? An animal with a foot caught in a trap does not seem to despair. It is too busy trying to survive. It is all closed in, to a kind of still, intense waiting. Is this a key? Keep busy with survival. Imitate the trees. Learn to lose in order to recover, and remember that nothing stays the same for long, not even pain, psychic pain. Sit it out. Let it all pass. Let it go.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Nature of Despair, May Sarton, 1975
Human suffering is contrasted with animal instinct; the quote urges adopting nature’s resilience, embracing impermanence, and allowing pain to pass.
In simple terms: Accept change, let pain pass, learn from nature.
Key Takeaway
Embrace impermanence, stay resilient.
Themes
resilience
impermanence
human nature
acceptance
Mood
reflective
calm
hopeful
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- personal crisis
- grief
- stress management
- healing
- growth
Key Concepts
Stoicism
existentialism
mindfulness
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you practice stillness in daily life?
- What does “imitate the trees” mean to you?
A Different Perspective
Nature’s simplicity may not apply to complex human societies.
