Buddhism Quote by Wendell Berry
““Until modern times, we focused a great deal of the best of our thought upon rituals of return to the human condition. Seeking enlightenment or the Promised Land or the way home, a man would go or be forced to go into the wilderness, measure himself against the Creation, recognize finally his true place within it, and thus be saved both from pride and from despair. Seeing himself as a tiny member of a world he cannot comprehend or master or in any final sense possess, he cannot possibly think of himself as a god. And by the same token, since he shares in, depends upon, and is graced by all of which he is a part, neither can he become a fiend; he cannot descend into the final despair of destructiveness. Returning from the wilderness, he becomes a restorer of order, a preserver. He sees the truth, recognizes his true heir, honors his forebears and his heritage, and gives his blessing to his successors. He embodies the passing of human time, living and dying within the human limits of grief and joy. (pg.95, "The Body and the Earth")””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Body and the Earth, 1997, Novel
Human humility arises from recognizing our small place in nature, preventing both arrogance and nihilism, leading to stewardship.
In simple terms: Seeing ourselves as tiny in nature fosters humility and care.
Key Takeaway
Embrace humility to protect and preserve.
Themes
humility
stewardship
nature
spirituality
Mood
contemplative
hopeful
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- environmental activism
- education
- personal reflection
- community building
Key Concepts
Existential humility
environmental ethics
Questions to Reflect On
- How does recognizing our limits inspire action?
- What practices nurture humility toward nature?
A Different Perspective
May overlook the need for systemic change beyond individual humility.
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