“Thousands of tired, nerve-shaken, over-civilized people are beginning to find out that going to the mountains is going home; that wildness is a necessity”

Wildness is a necessity.

What a psalm the storm was singing, and how fresh the smell of the washed earth and leaves, and how sweet the still small voices of the storm!

How narrow we selfish conceited creatures are in our sympathies! How blind to the rights of all the rest of creation!

Every sight and sound inspiring, leading one far out of himself, yet feeding and building up his individuality.

If people in general could be got into the woods, even for once, to hear the trees speak for themselves, all difficulties in the way of forest preservation would vanish.

Take me into the mountains.

God has cared for these trees, saved them from drought, disease, avalanches, and a thousand tempests and floods. But he cannot save them from fool.

Handle a book as a bee does a flower, extract its sweetness but do not damage it.

The sun shines not on us but in us.

We were glad, however, to get within reach of information.

The making of gardens and parks goes on with civilization all over the world, and they increase both in size and number as their value is recognized.

But we are governed more than we know, and most when we are wildest.

In drying plants, botanists often dry themselves. Dry words and dry facts will not fire hearts.

Society speaks and all men listen, mountains speak and wise men listen.

Let children walk with nature, let them see the beautiful blendings and communions of death and life.

Wander a whole summer if you can, time will not be taken from the sum of your life. Instead of shortening, it will definitely lengthen it and make you truly immortal.