Body Quote by Wendell Berry
“If we are to have a culture as resilient and competent in the face of necessity as it needs to be, then it must somehow involve within itself a ceremonious generosity toward the wilderness of natural force and instinct. The farm must yield a place to the forest, not as a wood lot, or even as a necessary agricultural principle but as a sacred grove - a place where the Creation is let alone, to serve as instruction, example, refuge; a place for people to go, free of work and presumption, to let themselves alone. (pg. 125, The Body and the Earth)”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Body and the Earth, 1997
A resilient culture must honor natural forces, allowing wilderness and forest to exist as sacred spaces that teach, refuge, and inspire, not merely as resources.
In simple terms: Respect nature as a sacred teacher and refuge.
Key Takeaway
Preserve wild spaces as sacred groves.
Themes
environment
spirituality
culture
sustainability
reverence
Mood
hopeful
inspirational
Type
environmental
philosophical
When to use this quote
- urban planning
- education
- conservation policy
- personal retreats
Key Concepts
ecology
biophilia
holism
Questions to Reflect On
- How can modern societies integrate sacred natural spaces into daily life?
- What practices foster reverence for the wild?
A Different Perspective
Balancing human needs with wilderness preservation is challenging.
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