--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Art is man's nature; nature is God's art." description: "\"Art is man's nature; nature is God's art.\" — Philip James Bailey" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/991/philip-james-bailey-2904_art_art-is-man-s-nature-nature-is-god-s-art_1148515.jpg" --- # Art is man's nature; nature is God's art. ![“Art is man's nature; nature is God's art.” quote by Philip James Bailey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/991/philip-james-bailey-2904_art_art-is-man-s-nature-nature-is-god-s-art_1148515.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/991/philip-james-bailey-2904_art_art-is-man-s-nature-nature-is-god-s-art_1148515.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/991/philip-james-bailey-2904_art_art-is-man-s-nature-nature-is-god-s-art_1148515.jpg) > “Art is man's nature; nature is God's art.” [Philip James Bailey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-james-bailey/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Human creativity mirrors divine creation; art reflects the natural world, which is itself an expression of God. **In simple terms:** Art reflects nature; nature reflects divine art. Key Takeaway Recognize the sacred in creativity. Themes art nature spirituality Mood reflective inspirational Type philosophical spiritual When to use this quote - art education - environmental advocacy - spiritual practice - philosophical writing Key Concepts creativity theology environmentalism Questions to Reflect On - How does art reveal the divine? - In what ways does nature inspire artistic expression? A Different Perspective May conflate metaphor with doctrine. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Art](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/art/) [Artist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/artist/) [God](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/god/) [Man](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/man/) [Man Nature](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/man-nature/) [Nature](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nature/) [Nature God](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nature-god/) [Nature Nature](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nature-nature/) ## Related quotes > [Art is a man's nature; nature is God's art.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-james-bailey/art-is-a-man-s-nature-nature-is-god-s-art/) [Philip James Bailey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-james-bailey/) > [Nature is God's first missionary. Where there is no Bible there are sparkling stars. Where there are not preachers there are spring times... If…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-lucado/nature-is-god-s-first-missionary-where-there-is-no-bible-there-are/) [Max Lucado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-lucado/) > [We must return to nature and nature's god.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luther-burbank/we-must-return-to-nature-and-nature-s-god/) [Luther Burbank](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luther-burbank/) > [Till now man has been up against Nature; from now on he will be up against his own nature.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dennis-gabor/till-now-man-has-been-up-against-nature-from-now-on-he-will-be-up/) [Dennis Gabor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dennis-gabor/) > [Man is not above nature, but in nature.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernst-haeckel/man-is-not-above-nature-but-in-nature/) [Ernst Haeckel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernst-haeckel/) > [The new media are not bridges between man and nature; they are nature.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marshall-mcluhan/the-new-media-are-not-bridges-between-man-and-nature-they-are-nature/) [Marshall McLuhan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marshall-mcluhan/) > [“God against man. Man against God. Man against nature. Nature against man. Nature against God. God against nature. Very funny religion!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/d-t-suzuki/god-against-man-man-against-god-man-against-nature-nature-against-man/) [D.T. Suzuki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/d-t-suzuki/) > [I don't paint nature. I am nature.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jackson-pollock/i-don-t-paint-nature-i-am-nature/) [Jackson Pollock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jackson-pollock/) > [I am nature. Nature is me. What I create is what I must create. That I create it is fundamental. I am both anonymous…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-shadbolt/i-am-nature-nature-is-me-what-i-create-is-what-i-must-create-that-i/) [Jack Shadbolt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-shadbolt/) > [Our nature is the nature of no birth and no death. It is impossible for a cloud to pass from being into nonbeing. 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Let the value of our planets wildlife be to nature and nature…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-oxton/it-seems-everything-in-nature-that-has-beauty-also-has-a-price-let/) [Paul Oxton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-oxton/) > [When you walk inside the nature, nature also walks inside you!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mehmet-murat-ildan/when-you-walk-inside-the-nature-nature-also-walks-inside-you/) [Mehmet Murat Ildan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mehmet-murat-ildan/) > [If we did not take great pains, and were not at great expense to corrupt our nature, our nature would never corrupt us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-hyde-1st-earl-of-clarendon/if-we-did-not-take-great-pains-and-were-not-at-great-expense-to/) [Edward Hyde, 1st Earl of Clarendon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-hyde-1st-earl-of-clarendon/) > [The nature of things is to have no nature; it is their non-nature that is their nature. For they have only one nature: no-nature.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nagarjun/the-nature-of-things-is-to-have-no-nature-it-is-their-non-nature-that/) [Nagarjun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nagarjun/) > [“Human "nature" is a nature continually in quest of itself, obliged at every moment to transcend what it was a moment before.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-h-auden-2/human-nature-is-a-nature-continually-in-quest-of-itself-obliged-at/) [W.H. Auden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-h-auden-2/) ## More by Philip James Bailey > [The strongest passion which I have is honor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-james-bailey/the-strongest-passion-which-i-have-is-honor/) [Philip James Bailey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-james-bailey/) > [When pride thaws, look for floods.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-james-bailey/when-pride-thaws-look-for-floods/) [Philip James Bailey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-james-bailey/) > [Thou art a woman, And that is saying the best and worst of thee.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-james-bailey/thou-art-a-woman-and-that-is-saying-the-best-and-worst-of-thee/) [Philip James Bailey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-james-bailey/) > [The death-change comes. Death is another life. We bow our heads At going out, we think, and enter straight Another golden chamber of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-james-bailey/the-death-change-comes-death-is-another-life-we-bow-our-heads-at/) [Philip James Bailey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-james-bailey/) > [It is fine to stand upon some lofty mountain thought, and feel the spirit stretch into a view.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-james-bailey/it-is-fine-to-stand-upon-some-lofty-mountain-thought-and-feel-the/) [Philip James Bailey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-james-bailey/) > [Death, thou art infinite; it is life is little.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-james-bailey/death-thou-art-infinite-it-is-life-is-little/) [Philip James Bailey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-james-bailey/) > [Kindness is wisdom.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-james-bailey/kindness-is-wisdom/) [Philip James Bailey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-james-bailey/) > [None but God can fill the perfect whole.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-james-bailey/none-but-god-can-fill-the-perfect-whole/) [Philip James Bailey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-james-bailey/) > [The ground of all great thoughts is sadness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-james-bailey/the-ground-of-all-great-thoughts-is-sadness/) [Philip James Bailey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-james-bailey/) > [The dew, 'Tis of the tears which stars weep, sweet with joy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-james-bailey/the-dew-tis-of-the-tears-which-stars-weep-sweet-with-joy/) [Philip James Bailey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-james-bailey/) > [My favoured temple is an humble heart.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-james-bailey/my-favoured-temple-is-an-humble-heart/) [Philip James Bailey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-james-bailey/) > [Fine thoughts are wealth, for the right use of which Men are and ought to be accountable,-- If not to Thee, to those they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-james-bailey/fine-thoughts-are-wealth-for-the-right-use-of-which-men-are-and-ought/) [Philip James Bailey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-james-bailey/) > [The sole equality on earth is death.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-james-bailey/the-sole-equality-on-earth-is-death/) [Philip James Bailey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-james-bailey/) > [The goodness of the heart is shown in deeds Of peacefulness and kindness. Hand and heart Are one thing with the good, as thou…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-james-bailey/the-goodness-of-the-heart-is-shown-in-deeds-of-peacefulness-and/) [Philip James Bailey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-james-bailey/) > [He is a fool who is not for love and beauty. I speak unto the young, for I am of them and always shall…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-james-bailey/he-is-a-fool-who-is-not-for-love-and-beauty-i-speak-unto-the-young/) [Philip James Bailey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-james-bailey/) [Explore all 146 Philip James Bailey quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-james-bailey/) ## More Art quotes > [True works of art contain their own theory and give us the measurement according to which we should judge them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/true-works-of-art-contain-their-own-theory-and-give-us-the/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [Before Noah, men having only water to drink, could not find the truth. Accordingly...they became abominably wicked, and they were justly exterminated by the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/before-noah-men-having-only-water-to-drink-could-not-find-the-truth/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [“Hear the sum of the whole matter in the compass of one brief word — every art possessed by man comes from Prometheus.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aeschylus/hear-the-sum-of-the-whole-matter-in-the-compass-of-one-brief-word/) [Aeschylus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aeschylus/) > [I think most artists feel like they're outside society - no matter how many accolades they receive, or how much money is in your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-rose/i-think-most-artists-feel-like-they-re-outside-society-no-matter-how/) [Aaron Rose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-rose/) > [The capacity to be puzzled is the premise of all creation, be it in art or in science.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erich-fromm/the-capacity-to-be-puzzled-is-the-premise-of-all-creation-be-it-in/) [Erich Fromm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erich-fromm/) > [That's the great secret of creativity. You treat ideas like cats: you make them follow you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-bradbury/that-s-the-great-secret-of-creativity-you-treat-ideas-like-cats-you/) [Ray Bradbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-bradbury/) > [“So, really," continued Jacob as if this were perfectly normal to expound on art in these circumstances, "when you think about it, the artists…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justina-chen-headley/so-really-continued-jacob-as-if-this-were-perfectly-normal-to-expound/) [Justina Chen Headley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justina-chen-headley/) > [“There are two options in art; either to adopt philosophical life by dissecting art, or to write your own philosophical life and claim it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taf-teh/there-are-two-options-in-art-either-to-adopt-philosophical-life-by/) [Taf Teh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taf-teh/) > [The house has to serve comfort. The work of art is revolutionary; the house is conservative.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adolf-loos/the-house-has-to-serve-comfort-the-work-of-art-is-revolutionary-the/) [Adolf Loos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adolf-loos/) > [During human progress, every science is evolved out of its corresponding art.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herbert-spencer/during-human-progress-every-science-is-evolved-out-of-its/) [Herbert Spencer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herbert-spencer/) > [In literature and art memory is a synonym for invention. It is the life-blood of imagination, which faints and dies when the veins are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-aris-willmott/in-literature-and-art-memory-is-a-synonym-for-invention-it-is-the/) [Robert Aris Willmott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-aris-willmott/) > [I think a business guy is different from an artist. They walk different paths. Artists create the best outputs when they're having fun. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/g-dragon/i-think-a-business-guy-is-different-from-an-artist-they-walk/) [G-Dragon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/g-dragon/) > [“The only thing--I tell you this straight from the heart--that disgusts me in Salzburg is that one can't have any proper social intercourse with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wolfgang-amadeus-mozart/the-only-thing-i-tell-you-this-straight-from-the-heart-that-disgusts/) [Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wolfgang-amadeus-mozart/) > [The sublime in art is the attempt to express the infinite without finding in the realm of phenomena any object which proves itself fitting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georg-wilhelm-friedrich-hegel/the-sublime-in-art-is-the-attempt-to-express-the-infinite-without/) [Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georg-wilhelm-friedrich-hegel/) > [Art isn't done to decorate apartments, but to wage war against the enemy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pablo-picasso/art-isn-t-done-to-decorate-apartments-but-to-wage-war-against-the/) [Pablo Picasso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pablo-picasso/) [Browse all 48,643 Art quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/art/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Art is man's nature; nature is God's art.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Philip James Bailey" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-james-bailey/art-is-man-s-nature-nature-is-god-s-art/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Art" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-james-bailey/art-is-man-s-nature-nature-is-god-s-art/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/991/philip-james-bailey-2904_art_art-is-man-s-nature-nature-is-god-s-art_1148515.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/991/philip-james-bailey-2904_art_art-is-man-s-nature-nature-is-god-s-art_1148515.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/991/philip-james-bailey-2904_art_art-is-man-s-nature-nature-is-god-s-art_1148515.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Art is man's nature; nature is God's art.” — Philip James Bailey", "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": "Philip James Bailey", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-james-bailey/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Art is man's nature; nature is...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-james-bailey/art-is-man-s-nature-nature-is-god-s-art/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-james-bailey/art-is-man-s-nature-nature-is-god-s-art/#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 } } ] } ```