--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Fish cannot drown in water. Birds cannot…" description: "\"Fish cannot drown in water. Birds cannot sink in air. This has God given to all creatures, to foster and seek their own nature. How then can I withstan..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/758/mechthild-of-magdeburg-29062_air_fish-cannot-drown-in-water-birds-cannot_2380085.png" --- # Fish cannot drown in water. Birds cannot sink in air. This… ![“Fish cannot drown in water. Birds cannot sink in air. This has God given to all creatures, to foster and seek their own nature. How then can I withstand mine?” quote by Mechthild of Magdeburg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/758/mechthild-of-magdeburg-29062_air_fish-cannot-drown-in-water-birds-cannot_2380085.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/758/mechthild-of-magdeburg-29062_air_fish-cannot-drown-in-water-birds-cannot_2380085.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/758/mechthild-of-magdeburg-29062_air_fish-cannot-drown-in-water-birds-cannot_2380085.png) > “Fish cannot drown in water. Birds cannot sink in air. This has God given to all creatures, to foster and seek their own nature. How then can I withstand mine?” [Mechthild of Magdeburg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mechthild-of-magdeburg/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Each creature is designed for its element; humans must align with their true nature. **In simple terms:** Nature suits each being; seek your authentic path. Key Takeaway Live according to your innate purpose. Themes spirituality self‑knowledge nature Mood contemplative inspirational Type mystical philosophical When to use this quote - personal vocation - spiritual practice - ethical decision‑making Key Concepts theology existentialism Questions to Reflect On - What aspects of your nature feel constrained? - How can you honor both divine design and personal freedom? A Different Perspective Human nature may be more complex than elemental analogies. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Air](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/air/) [Bird](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bird/) [Birds Sink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/birds-sink-5892068/) [Creatures](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/creatures/) [Fish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fish/) [Fishes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fishes/) [Given](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/given/) [God given](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/god-given/) [Mines](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mines/) [Nature Withstand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nature-withstand-5892067/) [Water](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/water/) [Water Birds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/water-birds-1158772/) [Withstand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/withstand/) ## Related quotes > [Fish play in the water birds play in the sky ordinary beings play on the earth sublime beings play in display.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thinley-norbu/fish-play-in-the-water-birds-play-in-the-sky-ordinary-beings-play-on/) [Thinley Norbu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thinley-norbu/) > [My birthday began with the water - Birds and the birds of the winged trees flying my name.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dylan-thomas/my-birthday-began-with-the-water-birds-and-the-birds-of-the-winged/) [Dylan Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dylan-thomas/) > [There is little that can withstand a man who can conquer himself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-xiv/there-is-little-that-can-withstand-a-man-who-can-conquer-himself/) [Louis XIV](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-xiv/) > [“Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scotty-smith/two-are-better-than-one-because-they-have-a-good-reward-for-their/) [Scotty Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scotty-smith/) > [You don't have to be a scared person. I've had so many tragedies. I've managed to withstand things that you may think you cannot…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ariel-sharon/you-don-t-have-to-be-a-scared-person-i-ve-had-so-many-tragedies-i-ve/) [Ariel Sharon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ariel-sharon/) > [I do whatever is necessary in order to maintain the equanimity we all need to withstand the disappointment and rejection that are the lot…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dani-shapiro/i-do-whatever-is-necessary-in-order-to-maintain-the-equanimity-we-all/) [Dani Shapiro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dani-shapiro/) > [America needs a sensible, sustainable Iran policy that can meet U.S. security and economic interests, command international support and withstand the shifting Middle Eastern…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samantha-power/america-needs-a-sensible-sustainable-iran-policy-that-can-meet-u-s/) [Samantha Power](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samantha-power/) > [Being strong gives courage to withstand any chalienge & eventuality with conviction.Stay firm in your honest conviction & make way for success in your endeavour.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dranil-kr-sinha/being-strong-gives-courage-to-withstand-any-chalienge-eventuality/) [DrAnil Kr Sinha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dranil-kr-sinha/) > [“he built his persona as a shield around his person, because he knew very well how little his person could withstand.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eleanor-catton/he-built-his-persona-as-a-shield-around-his-person-because-he-knew/) [Eleanor Catton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eleanor-catton/) > [Help me to withstand your beauty as it stands out of reach. Give me the capacity to forget ever having felt your touch.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-rollins/help-me-to-withstand-your-beauty-as-it-stands-out-of-reach-give-me/) [Henry Rollins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-rollins/) > [“I can withstand anything because I am sure about our love and I have determined to fight for it to the death. If you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/willow-aster/i-can-withstand-anything-because-i-am-sure-about-our-love-and-i-have/) [Willow Aster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/willow-aster/) > [“9 Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. 10 For if they fall, the one will lift…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-smith/9-two-are-better-than-one-because-they-have-a-good-reward-for-their/) [William Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-smith/) > [The true love of sisters can withstand anything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-true-love-of-sisters-can-withstand-anything/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [In order for us and our families to withstand the pressures of the world, we must be filled with light and gospel truth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cheryl-a-esplin/in-order-for-us-and-our-families-to-withstand-the-pressures-of-the/) [Cheryl A. Esplin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cheryl-a-esplin/) > [“When a lady does consent to listen to an argument against her own opinions, she is always predetermined to withstand it - to listen…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-bronte/when-a-lady-does-consent-to-listen-to-an-argument-against-her-own/) [Anne Brontë](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-bronte/) ## More by Mechthild of Magdeburg > [From suffering I have learned this: that whoever is sore wounded by love will never be made whole unless she embraces the very same…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mechthild-of-magdeburg/from-suffering-i-have-learned-this-that-whoever-is-sore-wounded-by/) [Mechthild of Magdeburg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mechthild-of-magdeburg/) > [I cannot dance, O Lord, unless You lead me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mechthild-of-magdeburg/i-cannot-dance-o-lord-unless-you-lead-me/) [Mechthild of Magdeburg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mechthild-of-magdeburg/) > [That prayer has great power which a person makes with all his might. It makes a sour heart sweet, a sad heart merry, a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mechthild-of-magdeburg/that-prayer-has-great-power-which-a-person-makes-with-all-his-might/) [Mechthild of Magdeburg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mechthild-of-magdeburg/) > [Prayer is naught else but a yearning of soul ... it draws down the great God into the little heart; it drives the hungry…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mechthild-of-magdeburg/prayer-is-naught-else-but-a-yearning-of-soul-it-draws-down-the-great/) [Mechthild of Magdeburg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mechthild-of-magdeburg/) > [The day of my spiritual awakening was the day I saw and knew I saw all things in God and God in all things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mechthild-of-magdeburg/the-day-of-my-spiritual-awakening-was-the-day-i-saw-and-knew-i-saw/) [Mechthild of Magdeburg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mechthild-of-magdeburg/) > [Stupidity is sufficient unto itself. Wisdom can never learn enough.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mechthild-of-magdeburg/stupidity-is-sufficient-unto-itself-wisdom-can-never-learn-enough/) [Mechthild of Magdeburg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mechthild-of-magdeburg/) > [I was created in love. For that reason nothing can express my beauty nor liberate me except love alone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mechthild-of-magdeburg/i-was-created-in-love-for-that-reason-nothing-can-express-my-beauty/) [Mechthild of Magdeburg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mechthild-of-magdeburg/) > [If you love the justice of Jesus Christ more than you fear human judgment then you will seek to do compassion. Compassion means that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mechthild-of-magdeburg/if-you-love-the-justice-of-jesus-christ-more-than-you-fear-human/) [Mechthild of Magdeburg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mechthild-of-magdeburg/) > [I have seen a place-its name is Eternal Hatred It is built in the deepest abyss of the stones of mortal sin. Pride was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mechthild-of-magdeburg/i-have-seen-a-place-its-name-is-eternal-hatred-it-is-built-in-the/) [Mechthild of Magdeburg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mechthild-of-magdeburg/) > [Those who would know much, and love little, will ever remain at but the beginning of a godly life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mechthild-of-magdeburg/those-who-would-know-much-and-love-little-will-ever-remain-at-but-the/) [Mechthild of Magdeburg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mechthild-of-magdeburg/) > [The soul is made of love and must ever strive to return to love. Therefore, it can never find rest nor happiness in other…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mechthild-of-magdeburg/the-soul-is-made-of-love-and-must-ever-strive-to-return-to-love/) [Mechthild of Magdeburg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mechthild-of-magdeburg/) > [How should one live? Live Welcoming to all.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mechthild-of-magdeburg/how-should-one-live-live-welcoming-to-all/) [Mechthild of Magdeburg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mechthild-of-magdeburg/) > [God, give me by Your grace what You give to dogs by nature.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mechthild-of-magdeburg/god-give-me-by-your-grace-what-you-give-to-dogs-by-nature/) [Mechthild of Magdeburg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mechthild-of-magdeburg/) > [A Light of utmost splendor glows on the eyes of my soul. Therein have I seen the inexpressible ordering of all things, and recognized…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mechthild-of-magdeburg/a-light-of-utmost-splendor-glows-on-the-eyes-of-my-soul-therein-have/) [Mechthild of Magdeburg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mechthild-of-magdeburg/) > [One day I saw with the eyes of my eternity in bliss and without effort, a stone. It tasted sweet, like heavenly herbs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mechthild-of-magdeburg/one-day-i-saw-with-the-eyes-of-my-eternity-in-bliss-and-without/) [Mechthild of Magdeburg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mechthild-of-magdeburg/) [Explore all 18 Mechthild of Magdeburg quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mechthild-of-magdeburg/) ## More Air quotes > [I will be a tireless advocate for our District's defense priorities including Sheppard Air Force Base, Pantex, Bell Helicopter, universities conducting important research, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronny-jackson/i-will-be-a-tireless-advocate-for-our-district-s-defense-priorities/) [Ronny Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronny-jackson/) > [I have lifted my plane . . . for perhaps a thousand flights and I have never felt her wheels glide from the Earth…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beryl-markham/i-have-lifted-my-plane-for-perhaps-a-thousand-flights-and-i-have/) [Beryl Markham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beryl-markham/) > [If U.S. air, naval, missile, and ground forces were not in and around Korea, and if we were not treaty-bound to fight alongside South…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pat-buchanan/if-u-s-air-naval-missile-and-ground-forces-were-not-in-and-around/) [Pat Buchanan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pat-buchanan/) > [The cooler days have brought a wistful mood upon him. The smell of coalsmoke in the air at night. Old times, dead years. For…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cormac-mccarthy/the-cooler-days-have-brought-a-wistful-mood-upon-him-the-smell-of/) [Cormac McCarthy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cormac-mccarthy/) > [It's easy to say, let's go in and get the bad guys. But you have a divided country of Sunnis and Shias. The United…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tulsi-gabbard/it-s-easy-to-say-let-s-go-in-and-get-the-bad-guys-but-you-have-a/) [Tulsi Gabbard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tulsi-gabbard/) > [I'm a candle flame that sways in currents of air you can't see. You need to be the one who steadies me to burn.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nadine-gordimer/i-m-a-candle-flame-that-sways-in-currents-of-air-you-can-t-see-you/) [Nadine Gordimer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nadine-gordimer/) > [It is sometimes said that scientists are unromantic, that their passion to figure out robs the world of beauty and mystery. But is it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-sagan/it-is-sometimes-said-that-scientists-are-unromantic-that-their/) [Carl Sagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-sagan/) > [ Just between you and me, shouldn’t the World Bank be encouraging MORE migration of the dirty industries to the LDCs \[Less Developed Countries\]?... I… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lawrence-summers/just-between-you-and-me-shouldn-t-the-world-bank-be-encouraging-more/) [Lawrence Summers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lawrence-summers/) > [After a few mouthfuls of moon-flavored air, even the stubbornly drowsy can find themselves wide-eyed.. All the normal noises of life were gone, leaving…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/n-d-wilson/after-a-few-mouthfuls-of-moon-flavored-air-even-the-stubbornly-drowsy/) [N.D. Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/n-d-wilson/) > [There was a little nook on Air Force Two that contained the vice presidential seal, and I would sort of wedge myself in there…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-biden/there-was-a-little-nook-on-air-force-two-that-contained-the-vice/) [Jill Biden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-biden/) > [Words are substance strange. Speak one and the air ripples into another's ears. Write one and the eye laps it up. But the sense…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-beachy-quick/words-are-substance-strange-speak-one-and-the-air-ripples-into/) [Dan Beachy-Quick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-beachy-quick/) > [ \[A\]s you partake of the world's bill of fare, that's darned good advice to follow. Do a lot of spitting out the hot air.… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dr-seuss/a-s-you-partake-of-the-world-s-bill-of-fare-that-s-darned-good-advice/) [Dr. Seuss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dr-seuss/) > [...As the disparity between the rich and the poor grows, the fight to corner resources is intensifying. To push through their "sweetheart deals," to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arundhati-roy/as-the-disparity-between-the-rich-and-the-poor-grows-the-fight-to/) [Arundhati Roy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arundhati-roy/) > [Washington bureaucrats have classified the very air we exhale as a pollutant and have gone unchallenged in this incredible assertion. The logical consequence is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ron-paul/washington-bureaucrats-have-classified-the-very-air-we-exhale-as-a/) [Ron Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ron-paul/) > [“It is unnatural to fear something natural.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-magee/it-is-unnatural-to-fear-something-natural/) [Steven Magee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-magee/) [Browse all 6,278 Air quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/air/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Fish cannot drown in water. Birds cannot sink in air. This has God given to all creatures, to foster and seek their own nature. 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