--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If we walk in the woods, we must feed…" description: "\"If we walk in the woods, we must feed mosquitoes.\" — Ralph Waldo Emerson" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5f3/ralph-waldo-emerson-6_flies_if-we-walk-in-the-woods-we-must-feed-mos_2088986.png" --- # If we walk in the woods, we must feed mosquitoes. ![“If we walk in the woods, we must feed mosquitoes.” quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5f3/ralph-waldo-emerson-6_flies_if-we-walk-in-the-woods-we-must-feed-mos_2088986.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5f3/ralph-waldo-emerson-6_flies_if-we-walk-in-the-woods-we-must-feed-mos_2088986.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5f3/ralph-waldo-emerson-6_flies_if-we-walk-in-the-woods-we-must-feed-mos_2088986.png) > “If we walk in the woods, we must feed mosquitoes.” [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Living close to nature brings unintended consequences, like attracting pests. **In simple terms:** Nature's beauty can bring small problems. Key Takeaway Accept trade‑offs when seeking nature. Themes nature consequences balance Mood reflective thoughtful Type observational philosophical When to use this quote - hiking - camping - gardening - outdoor photography Key Concepts ecosystem human impact Questions to Reflect On - How do you mitigate unwanted side effects of enjoying nature? - What responsibilities come with immersing in the wild? A Different Perspective Even in nature, we must manage nuisances. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Walk in the woods](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/walk-in-the-woods/) [Woods](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/woods/) ## Related quotes > [A walk in the woods is only an exalted dream.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/a-walk-in-the-woods-is-only-an-exalted-dream/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [A rainy day is the perfect time for a walk in the woods.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-carson/a-rainy-day-is-the-perfect-time-for-a-walk-in-the-woods/) [Rachel Carson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-carson/) > [A garden should feel like a walk in the woods.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-kiley/a-garden-should-feel-like-a-walk-in-the-woods/) Dan Kiley > [Growing up in the Pacific Northwest as a young girl, whenever I felt emotionally overwhelmed, I would take a walk in the woods. Being…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brenda-strong/growing-up-in-the-pacific-northwest-as-a-young-girl-whenever-i-felt/) [Brenda Strong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brenda-strong/) > [A walk in the woods can reveal many things, and it is a good time to practice transcendentalism. Look at a tree and realize…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/a-walk-in-the-woods-can-reveal-many-things-and-it-is-a-good-time-to/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [He needed fresh air and sunshine. A walk in the woods and afterward a good book to read by the fire. Yeah, that was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-lanyon/he-needed-fresh-air-and-sunshine-a-walk-in-the-woods-and-afterward-a/) [Josh Lanyon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-lanyon/) > [“All over America today people would be dragging themselves to work, stuck in traffic jams, wreathed in exhaust smoke. I was going for a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-bryson/all-over-america-today-people-would-be-dragging-themselves-to-work/) [Bill Bryson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-bryson/) > [What is sour in the house a bracing walk in the woods makes sweet.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/what-is-sour-in-the-house-a-bracing-walk-in-the-woods-makes-sweet/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [What can you do. You get a name, you're called 'Thomas Bernhard', and it stays that way for the rest of your life. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-bernhard/what-can-you-do-you-get-a-name-you-re-called-thomas-bernhard-and-it/) [Thomas Bernhard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-bernhard/) > [In the South Pacific, because of their size, mosquitoes are required to file flight plans.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erma-bombeck/in-the-south-pacific-because-of-their-size-mosquitoes-are-required-to/) [Erma Bombeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erma-bombeck/) > [ \[On what bugged him\] A fine city with too many socialists and mosquitoes. At least you can spray the mosquitoes. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-klein/on-what-bugged-him-a-fine-city-with-too-many-socialists-and/) [Ralph Klein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-klein/) > [“For those who are proud to be human beings, leave it to the mosquitoes to remind us that we are not as high up…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/for-those-who-are-proud-to-be-human-beings-leave-it-to-the-mosquitoes/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Mosquitoes are raping me!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bsk/mosquitoes-are-raping-me/) Bsk > [“In Massachusetts and Vermont, there had been plenty of mosquitoes, but in New Hampshire, they had reinforcements.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-pharr-davis/in-massachusetts-and-vermont-there-had-been-plenty-of-mosquitoes-but/) [Jennifer Pharr Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-pharr-davis/) > [To me, there is nothing more soothing than the song of a mosquito that can't get through the mesh to bite you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madison-smartt-bell/to-me-there-is-nothing-more-soothing-than-the-song-of-a-mosquito-that/) [Madison Smartt Bell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madison-smartt-bell/) ## More by Ralph Waldo Emerson > [The history of mankind interests us only as it exhibits a steady gain of truth and right, in the incessant conflict which it records…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/the-history-of-mankind-interests-us-only-as-it-exhibits-a-steady-gain/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [If we will not interfere with our thought, but will act entirely, or see how the thing stands in God, we know the particular…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/if-we-will-not-interfere-with-our-thought-but-will-act-entirely-or/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [If there is any period one would desire to be born in, is it not the age of Revolution; when the old and the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/if-there-is-any-period-one-would-desire-to-be-born-in-is-it-not-the/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [A man cannot speak but he judges himself. With his will or against his will he draws his portrait to the eye of his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/a-man-cannot-speak-but-he-judges-himself-with-his-will-or-against-his/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [Consideration is the soil in which wisdom may be expected to grow, and strength be given to every up-springing plant of duty.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/consideration-is-the-soil-in-which-wisdom-may-be-expected-to-grow-and/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [“There is then creative reading as well as creative writing. When the mind is braced by labor and invention, the page of whatever book…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/there-is-then-creative-reading-as-well-as-creative-writing-when-the/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [The order of things consents to virtue.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/the-order-of-things-consents-to-virtue/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [Life only avails, not the having lived.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/life-only-avails-not-the-having-lived/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [Another success is the post-office, with its educating energy augmented by cheapness and guarded by a certain religious sentimentin mankind; so that the power…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/another-success-is-the-post-office-with-its-educating-energy/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [A child reminds us that playtime is an essential part of our daily routine.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/a-child-reminds-us-that-playtime-is-an-essential-part-of-our-daily/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [No man can be criticised but by a greater than he. Do not, then, read the reviews.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/no-man-can-be-criticised-but-by-a-greater-than-he-do-not-then-read/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [Coal lay in ledges under the ground since the Flood, until a laborer with pick and windlass brings it to the surface. We may…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/coal-lay-in-ledges-under-the-ground-since-the-flood-until-a-laborer/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [I am; therefore, I had nothing better to do than to think.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/i-am-therefore-i-had-nothing-better-to-do-than-to-think/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [In a library we are surrounded by many hundreds of dear friends, but they are imprisoned by an enchanter in these paper and leathern…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/in-a-library-we-are-surrounded-by-many-hundreds-of-dear-friends-but/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [The compensations of calamity are made apparent to the understanding also, after long intervals of time. A fever, a mutilation, a cruel disappointment, a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/the-compensations-of-calamity-are-made-apparent-to-the-understanding/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) [Explore all 4,802 Ralph Waldo Emerson quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) ## More Flies quotes > [A lot of people have been saying 'The 100' reminds them of 'Lord Of The Flies,' 'Lost' and 'Battlestar Galactica,' and all of those…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marie-avgeropoulos/a-lot-of-people-have-been-saying-the-100-reminds-them-of-lord-of-the/) [Marie Avgeropoulos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marie-avgeropoulos/) > [“I was like a turd that drew flies instead of like a flower that butterflies and bees desired. 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It's not the usual way the crow flies, going…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-tate/i-went-from-an-unemployed-actor-s-life-to-doing-stand-up-comedy-and/) [Catherine Tate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-tate/) > [I sprayed a mosquito with mosquito repellent and now he'll never have any friends.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-sprayed-a-mosquito-with-mosquito-repellent-and-now-he-ll-never-have/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I have an agreement with the houseflies. The flies don't practice law and I don't walk on the ceiling.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/groucho-marx/i-have-an-agreement-with-the-houseflies-the-flies-don-t-practice-law/) [Groucho Marx](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/groucho-marx/) > [To me, there is nothing more soothing than the song of a mosquito that can't get through the mesh to bite you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madison-smartt-bell/to-me-there-is-nothing-more-soothing-than-the-song-of-a-mosquito-that/) [Madison Smartt Bell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madison-smartt-bell/) > [“In Massachusetts and Vermont, there had been plenty of mosquitoes, but in New Hampshire, they had reinforcements.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-pharr-davis/in-massachusetts-and-vermont-there-had-been-plenty-of-mosquitoes-but/) [Jennifer Pharr Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-pharr-davis/) > [Flies are the price we pay for summer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ann-zwinger/flies-are-the-price-we-pay-for-summer/) [Ann Zwinger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ann-zwinger/) > [The good Lord didn't create anything without a purpose, but the fly comes close.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-twain/the-good-lord-didn-t-create-anything-without-a-purpose-but-the-fly/) [Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-twain/) > [“horas volat (time flies)”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/constantijn-huygens/horas-volat-time-flies/) Constantijn Huygens > [Pike, three inches long, perfect Pike in all parts, green tigering the gold. Killers from the egg: the malevolent aged grin. They dance on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/pike-three-inches-long-perfect-pike-in-all-parts-green-tigering-the/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Mosquitoes are raping me!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bsk/mosquitoes-are-raping-me/) Bsk Browse all 342 Flies quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "If we walk in the woods, we must feed mosquitoes.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Ralph Waldo Emerson" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/if-we-walk-in-the-woods-we-must-feed-mosquitoes/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Flies" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/if-we-walk-in-the-woods-we-must-feed-mosquitoes/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5f3/ralph-waldo-emerson-6_flies_if-we-walk-in-the-woods-we-must-feed-mos_2088986.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5f3/ralph-waldo-emerson-6_flies_if-we-walk-in-the-woods-we-must-feed-mos_2088986.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5f3/ralph-waldo-emerson-6_flies_if-we-walk-in-the-woods-we-must-feed-mos_2088986.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“If we walk in the woods, we must feed mosquitoes.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson", "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": "Ralph Waldo Emerson", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "If we walk in the woods,...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/if-we-walk-in-the-woods-we-must-feed-mosquitoes/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/if-we-walk-in-the-woods-we-must-feed-mosquitoes/#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 } } ] } ```