--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The belief that we can manage the Earth…" description: "\"The belief that we can manage the Earth and improve on Nature is probably the ultimate expression of human conceit, but it has deep roots in the past a..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8f4/rene-dubos-12577_belief_the-belief-that-we-can-manage-the-earth_444385.jpg" --- # The belief that we can manage the Earth and improve on… ![“The belief that we can manage the Earth and improve on Nature is probably the ultimate expression of human conceit, but it has deep roots in the past and is almost universal.” quote by Rene Dubos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8f4/rene-dubos-12577_belief_the-belief-that-we-can-manage-the-earth_444385.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8f4/rene-dubos-12577_belief_the-belief-that-we-can-manage-the-earth_444385.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8f4/rene-dubos-12577_belief_the-belief-that-we-can-manage-the-earth_444385.jpg) > “The belief that we can manage the Earth and improve on Nature is probably the ultimate expression of human conceit, but it has deep roots in the past and is almost universal.” [Rene Dubos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rene-dubos/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Human arrogance assumes we can dominate nature, ignoring ecological interdependence and long‑term consequences. **In simple terms:** We often overestimate our control over Earth. Key Takeaway Respect natural limits and humility. Themes environment hubris interdependence Mood cautious serious Type philosophical warning When to use this quote - policy making - urban planning - education - personal lifestyle Key Concepts anthropocentrism sustainability ecology Questions to Reflect On - What responsibilities arise from our influence on nature? - How can humility shape environmental policy? A Different Perspective Technological advances can mitigate some impacts, but not all. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Belief](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/belief/) [Conceit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conceit/) [Deep roots](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/deep-roots/) [Earth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/earth/) [Environmental](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/environmental/) [Expression](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/expression/) [Faith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/faith/) [Humans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humans/) [Nature](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nature/) [One with nature](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/one-with-nature/) [Past](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/past/) [Roots](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/roots/) [Stewardship](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stewardship/) ## Related quotes > [I worry that even well-intentioned attempts to "improve nature" (say by reducing suffering) will make things worse even in their own terms.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dale-jamieson/i-worry-that-even-well-intentioned-attempts-to-improve-nature-say-by/) [Dale Jamieson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dale-jamieson/) > [The first step in learning is the destruction of human conceit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/the-first-step-in-learning-is-the-destruction-of-human-conceit/) [Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/) > [I do not believe that our relationship to the earth is liable to change for the better until it gets catastrophically worse. Our record…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-sittler/i-do-not-believe-that-our-relationship-to-the-earth-is-liable-to/) [Joseph Sittler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-sittler/) > [Nature doesn't feel compelled to stick to a mathematically precise algorithm; in fact, nature probably can't stick to an algorithm.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-wertheim/nature-doesn-t-feel-compelled-to-stick-to-a-mathematically-precise/) [Margaret Wertheim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-wertheim/) > [Nature is probably quite indifferent to the aesthetic preferences of mathematicians.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfred-north-whitehead/nature-is-probably-quite-indifferent-to-the-aesthetic-preferences-of/) [Alfred North Whitehead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfred-north-whitehead/) > [“Nature's probably my greatest inspiration. Everything I need is found in nature, it compels me to create and care. If you can't find what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/todd-michael-cox/nature-s-probably-my-greatest-inspiration-everything-i-need-is-found/) Todd Michael Cox > [As with other phases of nature, I have probably loved the rocks more than I have studied them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-burroughs/as-with-other-phases-of-nature-i-have-probably-loved-the-rocks-more/) [John Burroughs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-burroughs/) > [I don't spend a lot of time in nature. Probably less than most people that live in urban Texas.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shane-carruth/i-don-t-spend-a-lot-of-time-in-nature-probably-less-than-most-people/) [Shane Carruth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shane-carruth/) > [I love nature - it's probably my most favorite thing. I don't watch much telly, the telly hardly goes on, but the things I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-pilkington/i-love-nature-it-s-probably-my-most-favorite-thing-i-don-t-watch-much/) [Karl Pilkington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-pilkington/) > [“I had nature in my heart, she said. Like she did, and her mother before her. There was something about us---the Weyward women---that bonded…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emilia-hart/i-had-nature-in-my-heart-she-said-like-she-did-and-her-mother-before/) [Emilia Hart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emilia-hart/) > [I'm sure you're gonna be taught, if you haven't already, that the people that were here, the Native Americans were beautiful, they were wonderful,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rush-limbaugh/i-m-sure-you-re-gonna-be-taught-if-you-haven-t-already-that-the/) [Rush Limbaugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rush-limbaugh/) > [Uniformity is not nature's way; diversity is nature's way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vandana-shiva/uniformity-is-not-nature-s-way-diversity-is-nature-s-way/) [Vandana Shiva](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vandana-shiva/) > [We can pray perfectly when we are out in the mountains or on a lake and we feel at one with nature. Nature speaks…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-john-paul-ii/we-can-pray-perfectly-when-we-are-out-in-the-mountains-or-on-a-lake/) [Pope John Paul II](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-john-paul-ii/) > [Modern man talks of a battle with nature, forgetting that, if he won the battle, he would find himself on the losing side](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-f-schumacher/modern-man-talks-of-a-battle-with-nature-forgetting-that-if-he-won/) [E. F. Schumacher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-f-schumacher/) > [To speak truly, few adult persons can see nature. Most persons do not see the sun.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/to-speak-truly-few-adult-persons-can-see-nature-most-persons-do-not/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) ## More by Rene Dubos > [... each type of civilization has had diseases peculiar to it and at each period the various social groups in any community also have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rene-dubos/each-type-of-civilization-has-had-diseases-peculiar-to-it-and-at-each/) [Rene Dubos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rene-dubos/) > [Human life implies adventure, and there is no adventure without struggles and dangers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rene-dubos/human-life-implies-adventure-and-there-is-no-adventure-without/) [Rene Dubos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rene-dubos/) > [...Search for the cause may be a hopeless pursuit because most disease states are the indirect outcome of a constellation of circumstances.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rene-dubos/search-for-the-cause-may-be-a-hopeless-pursuit-because-most-disease/) [Rene Dubos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rene-dubos/) > [Each human being is unique, unprecedented, unrepeatable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rene-dubos/each-human-being-is-unique-unprecedented-unrepeatable/) [Rene Dubos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rene-dubos/) > [But too often the goal of the planners is a universal gray state of health corresponding to absence of disease rather than to a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rene-dubos/but-too-often-the-goal-of-the-planners-is-a-universal-gray-state-of/) [Rene Dubos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rene-dubos/) > [With reference to life there is not one nature; there are only associations of states and circumstances, varying from place to place and from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rene-dubos/with-reference-to-life-there-is-not-one-nature-there-are-only/) [Rene Dubos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rene-dubos/) > [It is a disturbing fact that Western civilization, which claims to have achieved the highest standard of health in history, finds itself compelled to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rene-dubos/it-is-a-disturbing-fact-that-western-civilization-which-claims-to/) [Rene Dubos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rene-dubos/) > [There is a demon in technology. It was put there by man and man will have to exorcise it before technological civilization can achieve…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rene-dubos/there-is-a-demon-in-technology-it-was-put-there-by-man-and-man-will/) [Rene Dubos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rene-dubos/) > [Human life is now molded to a large extent by the changes that man has brought about in his external environment and by his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rene-dubos/human-life-is-now-molded-to-a-large-extent-by-the-changes-that-man/) [Rene Dubos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rene-dubos/) > [The earth is literally our mother, not only because we depend on her for nurture and shelter but even more because the human sepcies…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rene-dubos/the-earth-is-literally-our-mother-not-only-because-we-depend-on-her/) [Rene Dubos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rene-dubos/) > [Clearly, health and disease cannot be defined merely in terms of anatomical, physiological, or mental attributes. Their real measure is the ability of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rene-dubos/clearly-health-and-disease-cannot-be-defined-merely-in-terms-of/) [Rene Dubos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rene-dubos/) > [One may wonder indeed whether the pretense of superior health is not itself rapidly becoming a mental aberration.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rene-dubos/one-may-wonder-indeed-whether-the-pretense-of-superior-health-is-not/) [Rene Dubos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rene-dubos/) > [Nature always strikes back. It takes all the running we can do to remain in the same place.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rene-dubos/nature-always-strikes-back-it-takes-all-the-running-we-can-do-to/) [Rene Dubos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rene-dubos/) > [Men are naturally most impressed by diseases which have obvious manifestations, yet some of their worst enemies creep on them unobtrusively.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rene-dubos/men-are-naturally-most-impressed-by-diseases-which-have-obvious/) [Rene Dubos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rene-dubos/) > [Man not only survives and functions in his environment, he shapes it and he is shaped by it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rene-dubos/man-not-only-survives-and-functions-in-his-environment-he-shapes-it/) [Rene Dubos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rene-dubos/) [Explore all 54 Rene Dubos quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rene-dubos/) ## More Belief quotes > [“Cine a ucis stelele? Cine a surpat drumul spre viitor al celor din morminte?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ionel-teodoreanu/cine-a-ucis-stelele-cine-a-surpat-drumul-spre-viitor-al-celor-din/) [Ionel Teodoreanu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ionel-teodoreanu/) > [“MIND & GRIND Self-belief and hard work can propel you past more talented peers”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kamil-ali/mind-grind-self-belief-and-hard-work-can-propel-you-past-more/) [Kamil Ali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kamil-ali/) > [Philosopher is a dictator who modifies accepted standards with his thoughts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilkin-santak/philosopher-is-a-dictator-who-modifies-accepted-standards-with-his/) [Ilkin Santak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilkin-santak/) > [There is something about the South that accepts the supernatural. If you don't accept it and you're having a conversation with someone who does,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-englert/there-is-something-about-the-south-that-accepts-the-supernatural-if/) [Alice Englert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-englert/) > [It took me 20 years of hard training to get the physique I have today. what you need is what i had - BELIEF…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/branch-warren/it-took-me-20-years-of-hard-training-to-get-the-physique-i-have-today/) [Branch Warren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/branch-warren/) > [“Here is a fundamental difference between the man of faith and the man of unbelief. The unbeliever is 'of the world', judges everything by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-w-pink/here-is-a-fundamental-difference-between-the-man-of-faith-and-the-man/) [Arthur W. Pink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-w-pink/) > [“She herself vacillated when it came to belief. She did not particularly believe in God. Or, rather, she didn't believe in a particular God.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allegra-goodman/she-herself-vacillated-when-it-came-to-belief-she-did-not/) [Allegra Goodman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allegra-goodman/) > [Let us remember that every worldview-not just Christianity's-must give an explanation or an answer for evil and suffering...this is not just a problem distinctive…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ravi-zacharias/let-us-remember-that-every-worldview-not-just-christianity-s-must/) [Ravi Zacharias](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ravi-zacharias/) > [“Rigid traditions capture souls prisons of spiritual thought man’s religion has captured a god grown too small and very weak.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-w-earle/rigid-traditions-capture-souls-prisons-of-spiritual-thought-man-s/) [David W Earle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-w-earle/) > [We can find common qualities and common values that have made Britain the country it is. Our belief in tolerance and liberty which shines…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gordon-brown/we-can-find-common-qualities-and-common-values-that-have-made-britain/) [Gordon Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gordon-brown/) > [The inner defenses are unconscious. They consist of a kind of magic aura which the mind builds around cherished belief. Arguments which penetrate into…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-koestler/the-inner-defenses-are-unconscious-they-consist-of-a-kind-of-magic/) [Arthur Koestler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-koestler/) > [I have tried to resign myself, and to console myself; and that, I hope, I may have done imperfectly; but what I cannot firmly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-dickens/i-have-tried-to-resign-myself-and-to-console-myself-and-that-i-hope-i/) [Charles Dickens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-dickens/) > [In business, as in politics, it is never easy to go against the beliefs and attitudes held by the majority. The businessman who moves…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-paul-getty/in-business-as-in-politics-it-is-never-easy-to-go-against-the-beliefs/) [J. Paul Getty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-paul-getty/) > [There's no greatest moment in the arts. It's a life; it's a continuity thing. You can't have a great moment because it's spiritual. It's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leroy-neiman/there-s-no-greatest-moment-in-the-arts-it-s-a-life-it-s-a-continuity/) [LeRoy Neiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leroy-neiman/) > [To preserve an unclouded capacity for the enjoyment of life is an unusual moral and psychological achievement. Contrary to popular belief, it is not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nathaniel-branden/to-preserve-an-unclouded-capacity-for-the-enjoyment-of-life-is-an/) [Nathaniel Branden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nathaniel-branden/) [Browse all 10,268 Belief quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/belief/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The belief that we can manage the Earth and improve on Nature is probably the ultimate expression of human conceit, but it has deep roots in the past and is almost universal.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Rene Dubos" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rene-dubos/the-belief-that-we-can-manage-the-earth-and-improve-on-nature-is/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Belief" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rene-dubos/the-belief-that-we-can-manage-the-earth-and-improve-on-nature-is/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8f4/rene-dubos-12577_belief_the-belief-that-we-can-manage-the-earth_444385.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8f4/rene-dubos-12577_belief_the-belief-that-we-can-manage-the-earth_444385.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8f4/rene-dubos-12577_belief_the-belief-that-we-can-manage-the-earth_444385.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“The belief that we can manage the Earth and improve on Nature is probably the ultimate expression of human…” — Rene Dubos", "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": "Rene Dubos", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rene-dubos/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "The belief that we can manage...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rene-dubos/the-belief-that-we-can-manage-the-earth-and-improve-on-nature-is/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rene-dubos/the-belief-that-we-can-manage-the-earth-and-improve-on-nature-is/#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 } } ] } ```