--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Aldo Leopold, the early 20th century's…" description: "\"Aldo Leopold, the early 20th century's Henry David Thoreau, said that we should think like a mountain, with a sense of permanence and a long view. At t..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f46/robert-bateman-23821_earth_aldo-leopold-the-early-20th-century-s-he_1072062.jpg" --- # Aldo Leopold, the early 20th century's Henry David… ![“Aldo Leopold, the early 20th century's Henry David Thoreau, said that we should think like a mountain, with a sense of permanence and a long view. At the beginning of the 21st century, we are at a peak of human power, wealth and information... We need to look back at our wonderful natural and…” quote by Robert Bateman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f46/robert-bateman-23821_earth_aldo-leopold-the-early-20th-century-s-he_1072062.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f46/robert-bateman-23821_earth_aldo-leopold-the-early-20th-century-s-he_1072062.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f46/robert-bateman-23821_earth_aldo-leopold-the-early-20th-century-s-he_1072062.jpg) > “Aldo Leopold, the early 20th century's Henry David Thoreau, said that we should think like a mountain, with a sense of permanence and a long view. At the beginning of the 21st century, we are at a peak of human power, wealth and information... We need to look back at our wonderful natural and human heritage, and cherish and protect the abundant values to be found there. We need to look out to the sides and see other parts of the world that need our help and can provide good ideas to go forward... We need to look ahead to be certain that our actions of today will make the world a better and richer and more varied place for our grandchildren and their grandchildren.” [Robert Bateman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-bateman/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Advocates a long‑term, holistic perspective on humanity’s impact, urging protection of natural and cultural heritage for future generations. **In simple terms:** Think broadly across time and space to protect heritage. Key Takeaway Adopt a mountain‑view mindset. Themes environment heritage future generations responsibility interconnectedness Mood reflective concerned Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - policy planning - conservation projects - education curricula - community outreach Key Concepts sustainability ecology long‑term thinking Questions to Reflect On - How can we balance urgent needs with long‑term stewardship? - What heritage values are most at today? A Different Perspective May overlook immediate crises in favor of distant goals. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [20th century](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/20th-century/) [21st century](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/21st-century/) [Aldo Leopold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/aldo-leopold-230008/) [David thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/david-thoreau/) [Earth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/earth/) [Good ideas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/good-ideas/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/henry-david-thoreau/) [Human Heritage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/human-heritage-2675366/) [Human power](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/human-power/) [Humanity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humanity/) [Mountain Sense](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mountain-sense-1357057/) [Philosophy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/philosophy/) [Thoreau Said](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thoreau-said-745850/) [Values](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/values/) ## Related quotes > [I like the story about Henry David Thoreau, who, when he was on his death bed, his family sent for a minister. The minister…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stewart-udall/i-like-the-story-about-henry-david-thoreau-who-when-he-was-on-his/) [Stewart Udall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stewart-udall/) > [“Referring to the American government, the greatest American Anarchist, David Thoreau, said: "Government, what is it but a tradition, though a recent one, endeavoring…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emma-goldman/referring-to-the-american-government-the-greatest-american-anarchist/) [Emma Goldman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emma-goldman/) > [If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/if-a-man-does-not-keep-pace-with-his-companions-perhaps-it-is-because/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [“Our life is frittered away by detail. Simplify! Simplify! Henry David Thoreau”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-catherine-rozek/our-life-is-frittered-away-by-detail-simplify-simplify-henry-david/) [Jane Catherine Rozek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-catherine-rozek/) > [“Rather than love, than money, than fame, give me truth. —Henry David Thoreau”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robyn-carr/rather-than-love-than-money-than-fame-give-me-truth-henry-david/) [Robyn Carr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robyn-carr/) > [“The American Anti-Slavery Society, on the other hand, said the war was “waged solely for the detestable and horrible purpose of extending and perpetuating…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-zinn/the-american-anti-slavery-society-on-the-other-hand-said-the-war-was/) [Howard Zinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-zinn/) > [“I know of no more encouraging fact than the unquestionable ability of man to elevate his life by conscious endeavor. HENRY DAVID THOREAU”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-r-covey/i-know-of-no-more-encouraging-fact-than-the-unquestionable-ability-of/) [Stephen R. Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-r-covey/) > [What I treasure most at any moment is intimacy, surprise, a sense of mystery, wit, depth and love. A handful of cherished friends offer…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pico-iyer/what-i-treasure-most-at-any-moment-is-intimacy-surprise-a-sense-of/) [Pico Iyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pico-iyer/) > [“If you have built castles in the air, your work need not be lost; that is where they should be. Now put the foundations…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-graham/if-you-have-built-castles-in-the-air-your-work-need-not-be-lost-that-2/) [Benjamin Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-graham/) > [Henry David Thoreau, who never earned much of a living or sustained a relationship with any woman that wasn't brotherly -- who lived mostly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-hoagland/henry-david-thoreau-who-never-earned-much-of-a-living-or-sustained-a/) [Edward Hoagland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-hoagland/) > [“There are thousands who are in opinion opposed to slavery and to war, who yet in effect do nothing to put an end to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dorothee-soelle/there-are-thousands-who-are-in-opinion-opposed-to-slavery-and-to-war/) [Dorothee Soelle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dorothee-soelle/) > [“What lies before us and what lies behind us are small matters compared to what lies within us. And when we bring what is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-millman/what-lies-before-us-and-what-lies-behind-us-are-small-matters/) [Dan Millman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-millman/) > [“Many men go fishing all of their lives without knowing that it is not fish they are after.” ~ Henry David Thoreau”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-leopold/many-men-go-fishing-all-of-their-lives-without-knowing-that-it-is-not/) [Scott Leopold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-leopold/) > [“It's hard to explain, but it's related to me know that for every moment of beauty this place gives me, I probably miss a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kirsty-eagar/it-s-hard-to-explain-but-it-s-related-to-me-know-that-for-every/) [Kirsty Eagar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kirsty-eagar/) > [“My greatest skill has been to want little. —HENRY DAVID THOREAU, WALDEN A”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rolf-potts/my-greatest-skill-has-been-to-want-little-henry-david-thoreau-walden-a/) [Rolf Potts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rolf-potts/) ## More by Robert Bateman > [Nature is not a free lunch, but we treat it as a free lunch.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-bateman/nature-is-not-a-free-lunch-but-we-treat-it-as-a-free-lunch/) [Robert Bateman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-bateman/) > [To me the most important thing in a piece of art is the thought. Technique is totally secondary.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-bateman/to-me-the-most-important-thing-in-a-piece-of-art-is-the-thought/) [Robert Bateman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-bateman/) > [In art and science we are now in a delta, at the end of the long flow of progress. In a delta there is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-bateman/in-art-and-science-we-are-now-in-a-delta-at-the-end-of-the-long-flow/) [Robert Bateman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-bateman/) > [If I ever have a conflict between art and nature, I let art win.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-bateman/if-i-ever-have-a-conflict-between-art-and-nature-i-let-art-win/) [Robert Bateman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-bateman/) > [Children don't play outside enough. For hundreds of thousands of years young people spent time outside - until 15 years ago.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-bateman/children-don-t-play-outside-enough-for-hundreds-of-thousands-of-years/) [Robert Bateman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-bateman/) > [A muse comes down from Mount Olympus and changes my attitude, cheering me up - it's an inner intuition, suddenly giving a breakthrough to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-bateman/a-muse-comes-down-from-mount-olympus-and-changes-my-attitude-cheering/) [Robert Bateman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-bateman/) > [I prefer to hike in nature, give lectures, or be with family when not working.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-bateman/i-prefer-to-hike-in-nature-give-lectures-or-be-with-family-when-not/) [Robert Bateman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-bateman/) > [I take two walks up hills each day, and bike ride each morning. I also have an exercise bike to increase my heart rate.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-bateman/i-take-two-walks-up-hills-each-day-and-bike-ride-each-morning-i-also/) [Robert Bateman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-bateman/) > [My art collection is dominated by tribal art from Nigeria where I taught school, from New Guinea where we've travelled, and by Canadian Haida…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-bateman/my-art-collection-is-dominated-by-tribal-art-from-nigeria-where-i/) [Robert Bateman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-bateman/) > [If you find yourself worrying, go outside, take three breaths, address a tree and quietly say, 'Thank you.' If you can't find a tree,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-bateman/if-you-find-yourself-worrying-go-outside-take-three-breaths-address-a/) [Robert Bateman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-bateman/) > [The most important question facing the planet is: Is it worth it?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-bateman/the-most-important-question-facing-the-planet-is-is-it-worth-it/) [Robert Bateman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-bateman/) > [I am a possibilist. I believe that humanity is master of its own fate... Before we can change direction, we have to question many…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-bateman/i-am-a-possibilist-i-believe-that-humanity-is-master-of-its-own-fate/) [Robert Bateman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-bateman/) > [I got serious about painting at 12, when most people give up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-bateman/i-got-serious-about-painting-at-12-when-most-people-give-up/) [Robert Bateman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-bateman/) > [When you get to be my age, you begin to count how many Mays you have left - the best time of year for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-bateman/when-you-get-to-be-my-age-you-begin-to-count-how-many-mays-you-have/) [Robert Bateman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-bateman/) > [I can't conceive of anything being more varied and rich and handsome than the planet Earth. And its crowning beauty is the natural world.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-bateman/i-can-t-conceive-of-anything-being-more-varied-and-rich-and-handsome/) [Robert Bateman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-bateman/) [Explore all 25 Robert Bateman quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-bateman/) ## More 20th century quotes > [I think the inhabitants of the past are fighting hard to keep the rents they acquired in the 20th century.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-bennet/i-think-the-inhabitants-of-the-past-are-fighting-hard-to-keep-the/) [Michael Bennet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-bennet/) > [Corporate America is a 20th-century dinosaur, trembling on the edge of extinction, and the only way for you to have a genuinely secure future…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-kiyosaki/corporate-america-is-a-20th-century-dinosaur-trembling-on-the-edge-of/) [Robert Kiyosaki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-kiyosaki/) > [America thrived in the 20th century because we made high school free. We sent a generation to college. We cultivated the most educated workforce…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/america-thrived-in-the-20th-century-because-we-made-high-school-free/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [The 20th century has been marked by cynicism, selfishness, greed, and the desire to please, all without changing the status quo. In the 21st…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scar-arias/the-20th-century-has-been-marked-by-cynicism-selfishness-greed-and/) [Óscar Arias](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scar-arias/) > [I've studied the lives of the 20th century's great businessmen and concluded self-confidence was instrumental in all their success.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-spanos/i-ve-studied-the-lives-of-the-20th-century-s-great-businessmen-and/) [Alex Spanos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-spanos/) > [Universal literacy was a 20th-century goal. Before then, reading and writing were skills largely confined to a small, highly educated class of professional people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hugh-mackay/universal-literacy-was-a-20th-century-goal-before-then-reading-and/) [Hugh Mackay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hugh-mackay/) > [The great wars of the 20th Century made it into the worst Century ever.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-ambrose/the-great-wars-of-the-20th-century-made-it-into-the-worst-century-ever/) [Stephen Ambrose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-ambrose/) > [That is very different from how it used to be in the 20th century. Media was very one way. There's a small little industry.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-gordon-levitt/that-is-very-different-from-how-it-used-to-be-in-the-20th-century/) [Joseph Gordon-Levitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-gordon-levitt/) > [If you look back on the history of the 20th century, the 19th century or even to the ancien régime of the 18th, you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zygmunt-bauman/if-you-look-back-on-the-history-of-the-20th-century-the-19th-century/) [Zygmunt Bauman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zygmunt-bauman/) > [Up to the 20th century, we can say that this whole period was an Earth epoch, 'Earth' meaning the riches of the earth, simple…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lech-walesa/up-to-the-20th-century-we-can-say-that-this-whole-period-was-an-earth/) [Lech Walesa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lech-walesa/) > [I think this century more than any other really has seen the phenomenon of people being uprooted in such numbers, such a degree. They…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elie-wiesel/i-think-this-century-more-than-any-other-really-has-seen-the/) [Elie Wiesel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elie-wiesel/) > [If you look at that incredible burst of fantastic characters that emerged in the late 19th century/early 20th century, you can see so many…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-moore/if-you-look-at-that-incredible-burst-of-fantastic-characters-that/) [Alan Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-moore/) > [Cruel and paradoxical though it undoubtedly is, the record shows that yje most succesful 20th century monarchs have been those who were not actually…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-cannadine/cruel-and-paradoxical-though-it-undoubtedly-is-the-record-shows-that/) [David Cannadine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-cannadine/) > [An interesting thing about New Zealand, you know, literature is that it really didn't begin in any real sense until the 20th century.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eleanor-catton/an-interesting-thing-about-new-zealand-you-know-literature-is-that-it/) [Eleanor Catton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eleanor-catton/) > [The Warmth of Other Suns is a sweeping and yet deeply personal tale of America's hidden 20th century history - the long and difficult…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-brokaw/the-warmth-of-other-suns-is-a-sweeping-and-yet-deeply-personal-tale/) [Tom Brokaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-brokaw/) [Browse all 672 20th century quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/20th-century/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Aldo Leopold, the early 20th century's Henry David Thoreau, said that we should think like a mountain, with a sense of permanence and a long view. At the beginning of the 21st century, we are at a peak of human power, wealth and information... We need to look back at our wonderful natural and human heritage, and cherish and protect the abundant values to be found there. We need to look out to the sides and see other parts of the world that need our help and can provide good ideas to go forward... 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