--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The Country is both the Philosopher's…" description: "\"The Country is both the Philosopher's Garden and his Library, in which he Reads and Contemplates the Power, Wisdom and Goodness of God.\" — William Penn" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bb2/william-penn-1104_contemplating_the-country-is-both-the-philosopher-s-ga_3206161.png" --- # The Country is both the Philosopher's Garden and his… ![“The Country is both the Philosopher's Garden and his Library, in which he Reads and Contemplates the Power, Wisdom and Goodness of God.” quote by William Penn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bb2/william-penn-1104_contemplating_the-country-is-both-the-philosopher-s-ga_3206161.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bb2/william-penn-1104_contemplating_the-country-is-both-the-philosopher-s-ga_3206161.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bb2/william-penn-1104_contemplating_the-country-is-both-the-philosopher-s-ga_3206161.png) > “The Country is both the Philosopher's Garden and his Library, in which he Reads and Contemplates the Power, Wisdom and Goodness of God.” [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. The country is a living library where the philosopher reads and contemplates divine wisdom. **In simple terms:** Nature is a teacher of God’s wisdom. Key Takeaway Seek wisdom in the natural world. Themes nature spirituality philosophy Mood contemplative reverent Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - gardening - walking - study - meditation Key Concepts theology environmental ethics Questions to Reflect On - What lessons does the landscape teach you? - How can you integrate natural observation into daily reflection? A Different Perspective Nature may not always reveal clear answers. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Country](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/country/) [Earth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/earth/) [Garden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/garden/) [Goodness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/goodness/) [Goodness of god](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/goodness-of-god/) [Library](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/library/) [Patriotism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/patriotism/) [Philosopher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/philosopher/) [Philosophy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/philosophy/) [Wisdom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wisdom/) ## Related quotes > [I am sitting with a philosopher in the garden; he says again and again 'I know that that’s a tree', pointing to a tree…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ludwig-wittgenstein/i-am-sitting-with-a-philosopher-in-the-garden-he-says-again-and-again/) [Ludwig Wittgenstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ludwig-wittgenstein/) > [Planting a flower's like opening a book, because either way you're starting something. And your garden's your library.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nora-roberts/planting-a-flower-s-like-opening-a-book-because-either-way-you-re/) [Nora Roberts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nora-roberts/) > [If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/if-you-have-a-garden-and-a-library-you-have-everything-you-need/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [He who has a garden and a library wants for nothing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-tullius-cicero/he-who-has-a-garden-and-a-library-wants-for-nothing/) [Marcus Tullius Cicero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-tullius-cicero/) > [Joy is a quiet gladness of heart as one contemplates the goodness of God's saving grace in Christ Jesus.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-calvin/joy-is-a-quiet-gladness-of-heart-as-one-contemplates-the-goodness-of/) [John Calvin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-calvin/) > [“8 And, “He is the stone that makes people stumble,       the rock that makes them fall.”\* They stumble because they do not obey God’s word,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/8-and-he-is-the-stone-that-makes-people-stumble-the-rock-that-makes/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“We find hope in a hostile place when we focus on the goodness of God as revealed in His promises. In other words, hope…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-george/we-find-hope-in-a-hostile-place-when-we-focus-on-the-goodness-of-god/) [Elizabeth George](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-george/) > [“It is a weapon of spiritual warfare to rejoice in the Lord, in full confidence of what God will produce from your darkness, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kristen-m-smeltzer/it-is-a-weapon-of-spiritual-warfare-to-rejoice-in-the-lord-in-full/) [Kristen M. Smeltzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kristen-m-smeltzer/) > [Whenever we show others the goodness of God, whenever we follow our Teacher by imitating His posture of humble and ready service, our actions…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-held-evans/whenever-we-show-others-the-goodness-of-god-whenever-we-follow-our/) [Rachel Held Evans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-held-evans/) > [“Every one of us can look back and see times where God has left us handfuls of blessings on purpose, something we didn’t deserve,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-osteen/every-one-of-us-can-look-back-and-see-times-where-god-has-left-us/) [Joel Osteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-osteen/) > [It's a great responsibility before God, the judge who guides us, who draws us to truth and good, and in this sense the church…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-benedict-xvi/it-s-a-great-responsibility-before-god-the-judge-who-guides-us-who/) [Pope Benedict XVI](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-benedict-xvi/) > [The goodness of God is infinitely more wonderful than we will ever be able to comprehend.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aiden-wilson-tozer/the-goodness-of-god-is-infinitely-more-wonderful-than-we-will-ever-be/) [Aiden Wilson Tozer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aiden-wilson-tozer/) > [“Then the shimmering opened like a door to the other side, and I saw that the gate led to another dimension of heaven on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julia-c-loren/then-the-shimmering-opened-like-a-door-to-the-other-side-and-i-saw/) [Julia C. Loren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julia-c-loren/) > [What is sin? It is the glory of God not honored. The holiness of God not reverenced. The greatness of God not admired. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-piper/what-is-sin-it-is-the-glory-of-god-not-honored-the-holiness-of-god/) [John Piper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-piper/) > [And if thy heart be straight with God then every creature shall be to thee a mirror of life and a book of holy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-a-kempis/and-if-thy-heart-be-straight-with-god-then-every-creature-shall-be-to/) [Thomas a Kempis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-a-kempis/) ## 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 Contemplating quotes > [Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between man and his God, that he owes account to none other for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/believing-with-you-that-religion-is-a-matter-which-lies-solely/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [What's given, in fact, always depends on the person or thing it's given to. A minor incident in the street brings the cook to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fernando-pessoa/what-s-given-in-fact-always-depends-on-the-person-or-thing-it-s-given/) [Fernando Pessoa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fernando-pessoa/) > [The good author is he who contemplates without marked joy or excessive sorrow the adventures of his soul amongst criticisms.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-conrad/the-good-author-is-he-who-contemplates-without-marked-joy-or/) [Joseph Conrad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-conrad/) > [I have actually seen people contemplate their navels](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-heilpern/i-have-actually-seen-people-contemplate-their-navels/) [John Heilpern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-heilpern/) > [It is very pleasant to scratch an itching ring-worm, but the sensation one gets afterwards is very painful and intolerable. In the same way…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ramakrishna/it-is-very-pleasant-to-scratch-an-itching-ring-worm-but-the-sensation/) [Ramakrishna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ramakrishna/) > [He that contemplates hath a day without night.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-herbert/he-that-contemplates-hath-a-day-without-night/) [George Herbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-herbert/) > [If we are to define science, ... it does not consist so much in knowing, nor even in "organized knowledge," as it does in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-sanders-peirce/if-we-are-to-define-science-it-does-not-consist-so-much-in-knowing/) [Charles Sanders Peirce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-sanders-peirce/) > [As we contemplate with reverence and awe how our Savior embraces us, comforts us, and heals us, let us commit to become His hands,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dieter-f-uchtdorf/as-we-contemplate-with-reverence-and-awe-how-our-savior-embraces-us/) [Dieter F. Uchtdorf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dieter-f-uchtdorf/) > [Contemplating the bowl, it is possible to see the interdependent elements which give rise to the bowl.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nhat-hanh/contemplating-the-bowl-it-is-possible-to-see-the-interdependent/) [Nhat Hanh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nhat-hanh/) > [The two hardest things to contemplate in life ... are failure and age; those are one and the same.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-two-hardest-things-to-contemplate-in-life-are-failure-and-age/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [It always grieves me to contemplate the initiation of children into the ways of life when they are scarcely more than infants. It checks…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-dickens/it-always-grieves-me-to-contemplate-the-initiation-of-children-into/) [Charles Dickens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-dickens/) > [When contemplating college liberals, you really regret once again that John Walker is not getting the death penalty.We need to execute people like John…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ann-coulter/when-contemplating-college-liberals-you-really-regret-once-again-that/) [Ann Coulter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ann-coulter/) > [“That which sings and contemplates in you is still dwelling within the bounds of that first moment which scattered the stars into space”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/khalil-gibran/that-which-sings-and-contemplates-in-you-is-still-dwelling-within-the/) [Khalil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/khalil-gibran/) > [contemplating the misfortunes of others does not lighten one's own trouble but instead adds to it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mignon-g-eberhart/contemplating-the-misfortunes-of-others-does-not-lighten-one-s-own/) [Mignon G. Eberhart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mignon-g-eberhart/) > [Linda McCartney sausages were my favorite. Theyre much better than eating real sausages and you dont have to contemplate half way through exactly whats…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-cowell/linda-mccartney-sausages-were-my-favorite-theyre-much-better-than/) [Simon Cowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-cowell/) Browse all 762 Contemplating quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The Country is both the Philosopher's Garden and his Library, in which he Reads and Contemplates the Power, Wisdom and Goodness of God.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "William Penn" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-penn/the-country-is-both-the-philosopher-s-garden-and-his-library-in-which/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Contemplating" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-penn/the-country-is-both-the-philosopher-s-garden-and-his-library-in-which/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bb2/william-penn-1104_contemplating_the-country-is-both-the-philosopher-s-ga_3206161.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bb2/william-penn-1104_contemplating_the-country-is-both-the-philosopher-s-ga_3206161.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bb2/william-penn-1104_contemplating_the-country-is-both-the-philosopher-s-ga_3206161.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“The Country is both the Philosopher's Garden and his Library, in which he Reads and Contemplates the Power…” — 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": "The Country is both the Philosopher's...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-penn/the-country-is-both-the-philosopher-s-garden-and-his-library-in-which/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-penn/the-country-is-both-the-philosopher-s-garden-and-his-library-in-which/#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 } } ] } ```