--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It were happy if we studied nature more…" description: "\"It were happy if we studied nature more in natural things; and acted according to nature, whose rules are few, plain, and most reasonable.\" — William Penn" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2a9/william-penn-1104_environment_it-were-happy-if-we-studied-nature-more_2576054.png" --- # It were happy if we studied nature more in natural things… ![“It were happy if we studied nature more in natural things; and acted according to nature, whose rules are few, plain, and most reasonable.” quote by William Penn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2a9/william-penn-1104_environment_it-were-happy-if-we-studied-nature-more_2576054.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2a9/william-penn-1104_environment_it-were-happy-if-we-studied-nature-more_2576054.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2a9/william-penn-1104_environment_it-were-happy-if-we-studied-nature-more_2576054.png) > “It were happy if we studied nature more in natural things; and acted according to nature, whose rules are few, plain, and most reasonable.” [William Penn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-penn/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Studying nature teaches simple, reasonable rules that guide virtuous living. **In simple terms:** Nature’s simple rules guide virtuous living. Key Takeaway Live according to nature’s plain principles. Themes nature virtue simplicity Mood calm reflective Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - environmental education - mindfulness practice - simple living - sustainable design Key Concepts philosophy ethics Questions to Reflect On - How can you apply natural simplicity today? - What natural rule resonates most with you? A Different Perspective Human complexity may ignore nature’s simplicity. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Environment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/environment/) [Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) [Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love/) [Nature](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nature/) ## Related quotes > [But nothing is more estimable than a physician who, having studied nature from his youth, knows the properties of the human body, the diseases…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/voltaire/but-nothing-is-more-estimable-than-a-physician-who-having-studied/) [Voltaire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/voltaire/) > [Man is simply playing by nature's rules,and art is man's attempt to imitate the beauty of the Creator's hand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-brown/man-is-simply-playing-by-nature-s-rules-and-art-is-man-s-attempt-to/) [Dan Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-brown/) > [The laws of nature are the rules according to which the effects are produced; but there must be a cause which operates according to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-reid/the-laws-of-nature-are-the-rules-according-to-which-the-effects-are/) [Thomas Reid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-reid/) > [It is human nature that rules the world, not governments and regimes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/svetlana-alliluyeva/it-is-human-nature-that-rules-the-world-not-governments-and-regimes/) [Svetlana Alliluyeva](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/svetlana-alliluyeva/) > [Form your own color concept of things in nature. I have no rules for fine color to give you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-french-sloan/form-your-own-color-concept-of-things-in-nature-i-have-no-rules-for/) [John French Sloan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-french-sloan/) > [Everything in nature rules by kickin' ass.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/krs-one-2/everything-in-nature-rules-by-kickin-ass/) [Krs One](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/krs-one-2/) > [Live according to Nature, runs the maxim of the West; but according to what nature, the nature of the body or the nature which…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sri-aurobindo/live-according-to-nature-runs-the-maxim-of-the-west-but-according-to/) [Sri Aurobindo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sri-aurobindo/) > [“We have been fashioned, in all our perfection, each according to his own nature, and all our natures ordered and harmonized together, that man's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/we-have-been-fashioned-in-all-our-perfection-each-according-to-his/) [Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/) > [Avoid all affectation and singularity. What is according to nature is best, and what is contrary to it is always distasteful. Nothing is graceful…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeremy-collier/avoid-all-affectation-and-singularity-what-is-according-to-nature-is/) [Jeremy Collier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeremy-collier/) > [Again, if the world is destroyed, it must needs either be destroyed according to nature or against nature. Against nature is impossible, for that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sallust/again-if-the-world-is-destroyed-it-must-needs-either-be-destroyed/) [Sallust](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sallust/) > [“Epicurus: “If you live according to nature, you will never be poor; if you live according to opinion, you will never be rich.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seneca/epicurus-if-you-live-according-to-nature-you-will-never-be-poor-if/) [Seneca](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seneca/) > [“Imagine a being like nature, wasteful beyond measure, indifferent beyond measure, without mercy and justice, fertile and desolate and uncertain at the same time;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/friedrich-nietzsche/imagine-a-being-like-nature-wasteful-beyond-measure-indifferent/) [Friedrich Nietzsche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/friedrich-nietzsche/) > [“Not in depraved things, but in those well oriented according to nature, are we to consider what is natural.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aristotle/not-in-depraved-things-but-in-those-well-oriented-according-to-nature/) [Aristotle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aristotle/) > [“All human beings must perform according to their nature.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-berger/all-human-beings-must-perform-according-to-their-nature/) [Thomas Berger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-berger/) > [Things always work according to their nature.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/things-always-work-according-to-their-nature/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) ## More by William Penn > [Love grows. Lust wastes by Enjoyment, and the Reason is, that one springs from an Union of Souls, and the other from an Union…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-penn/love-grows-lust-wastes-by-enjoyment-and-the-reason-is-that-one/) [William Penn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-penn/) > [Once you've accumulated sufficient knowledge to get by, you're too old to remember it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-penn/once-you-ve-accumulated-sufficient-knowledge-to-get-by-you-re-too-old/) [William Penn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-penn/) > [If thou wouldn't conquer thy weakness thou must not gratify it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-penn/if-thou-wouldn-t-conquer-thy-weakness-thou-must-not-gratify-it/) [William Penn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-penn/) > [Religion is the fear of God, and its demonstration good works; and faith is the root of both: For without faith we cannot please…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-penn/religion-is-the-fear-of-god-and-its-demonstration-good-works-and/) [William Penn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-penn/) > [All excess is ill; but drunkenness is of the worst sort. It spoils health, dismounts the mind, and unmans men. It reveals secrets, is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-penn/all-excess-is-ill-but-drunkenness-is-of-the-worst-sort-it-spoils/) [William Penn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-penn/) > [“Let us then try what love can do to mend a broken world.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-penn/let-us-then-try-what-love-can-do-to-mend-a-broken-world/) [William Penn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-penn/) > ['Tis no sin to be tempted, but to be overcome.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-penn/tis-no-sin-to-be-tempted-but-to-be-overcome/) [William Penn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-penn/) > [Perfect love casteth out fear.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-penn/perfect-love-casteth-out-fear/) [William Penn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-penn/) > [By liberty of conscience, we understand not only a mere liberty of the mind, in believing or disbelieving this or that principle or doctrine;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-penn/by-liberty-of-conscience-we-understand-not-only-a-mere-liberty-of-the/) [William Penn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-penn/) > [Content not thyself that thou art virtuous in the general; for one link being wanting, the chain is defective.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-penn/content-not-thyself-that-thou-art-virtuous-in-the-general-for-one/) [William Penn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-penn/) > [We are apt to be very pert at censuring others, where we will not endure advice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-penn/we-are-apt-to-be-very-pert-at-censuring-others-where-we-will-not/) [William Penn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-penn/) > [It is admirable to consider how many millions of people come into, and go out of the world, ignorant of themselves and of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-penn/it-is-admirable-to-consider-how-many-millions-of-people-come-into-and/) [William Penn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-penn/) > [If thou wouldst rule well, thou must rule for God, and to do that, thou must be ruled by him... Those who will not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-penn/if-thou-wouldst-rule-well-thou-must-rule-for-god-and-to-do-that-thou/) [William Penn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-penn/) > [In the rush and noise of life, as you have intervals, step home within yourselves and be still. Wait upon God, and feel His…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-penn/in-the-rush-and-noise-of-life-as-you-have-intervals-step-home-within/) [William Penn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-penn/) > [Be sure that religion cannot be right that a man is the worse for having.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-penn/be-sure-that-religion-cannot-be-right-that-a-man-is-the-worse-for/) [William Penn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-penn/) [Explore all 291 William Penn quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-penn/) ## More Environment quotes > [I feel like the future is unwritten. So many of the things that we write now haven't been about educating people on the environment,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-flansburgh/i-feel-like-the-future-is-unwritten-so-many-of-the-things-that-we/) [John Flansburgh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-flansburgh/) > [This welfare for wealthy companies wastes taxpayer dollars, harms the environment, and makes a mockery of the recent reductions in federal social spending programs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-nader/this-welfare-for-wealthy-companies-wastes-taxpayer-dollars-harms-the/) [Ralph Nader](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-nader/) > [We must master our egoism, and through this mastery, step outside ourselves and educate ourselves in giving. 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I think most folks feel this to be true. They know that a life of aimless…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-yates/life-as-we-know-it-is-fundamentally-unsatisfying-i-think-most-folks/) [Michael Yates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-yates/) > [To assist a child we must provide him with an environment which will enable him to develop freely.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-montessori/to-assist-a-child-we-must-provide-him-with-an-environment-which-will/) [Maria Montessori](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-montessori/) > [Daily life is both the subject and environment of the work I am making.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/camille-henrot/daily-life-is-both-the-subject-and-environment-of-the-work-i-am-making/) [Camille Henrot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/camille-henrot/) > [If, as I anticipate, a wide array of personal, portable information/communication devices becomes increasingly important and widespread for information-intensive users, it will be a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-peters/if-as-i-anticipate-a-wide-array-of-personal-portable-information/) [Tom Peters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-peters/) > [Create an environment for people to fail, to learn, and to grow. Their creativity and productivity will increase.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/create-an-environment-for-people-to-fail-to-learn-and-to-grow-their/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [There are many more traits that the climate deniers share with the creationists and Holocaust deniers and others who distort the truth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-r-prothero/there-are-many-more-traits-that-the-climate-deniers-share-with-the/) [Donald R. Prothero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-r-prothero/) > [Assuming normal winter weather, we currently anticipate the coal markets to remain difficult through 2015; while we always strive to operate a full capacity…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-craft/assuming-normal-winter-weather-we-currently-anticipate-the-coal/) [Joe Craft](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-craft/) > [It's the same with this idea of a literate public, and also of a democracy in which people have access to and really read…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-hass/it-s-the-same-with-this-idea-of-a-literate-public-and-also-of-a/) [Robert Hass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-hass/) > [Of course, learning is strengthened and solidified when it occurs in a safe, secure and normal environment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-bertrand-aristide/of-course-learning-is-strengthened-and-solidified-when-it-occurs-in-a/) [Jean-Bertrand Aristide](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-bertrand-aristide/) [Browse all 8,669 Environment quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/environment/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "It were happy if we studied nature more in natural things; and acted according to nature, whose rules are few, plain, and most reasonable.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "William Penn" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-penn/it-were-happy-if-we-studied-nature-more-in-natural-things-and-acted/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Environment" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-penn/it-were-happy-if-we-studied-nature-more-in-natural-things-and-acted/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2a9/william-penn-1104_environment_it-were-happy-if-we-studied-nature-more_2576054.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2a9/william-penn-1104_environment_it-were-happy-if-we-studied-nature-more_2576054.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2a9/william-penn-1104_environment_it-were-happy-if-we-studied-nature-more_2576054.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“It were happy if we studied nature more in natural things; and acted according to nature, whose rules are…” — William Penn", "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": "William Penn", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-penn/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "It were happy if we studied...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-penn/it-were-happy-if-we-studied-nature-more-in-natural-things-and-acted/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-penn/it-were-happy-if-we-studied-nature-more-in-natural-things-and-acted/#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 } } ] } ```