The wrongs done to trees, wrongs of every sort, are done in the darkness of ignorance and unbelief, for when the light comes, the heart of the people is always right.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Harming nature stems from ignorance, but once people understand the truth, their hearts naturally align with protecting it.
- In plain terms
- People hurt trees because they do not know better, but when they learn the truth they will act right.
- What can you take from it?
- Ignorance causes harm to nature, but knowledge leads to protection.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What makes people protect nature?
- Is ignorance the only cause of harm?
Another view
Some harms may continue even after knowledge is spread.
More from John Muir
The gross heathenism of civilization has generally destroyed nature, and poetry, and all that is spiritual.
Permalink to quote #65 There is a love of wild nature in everybody an ancient mother-love ever showing itself whether recognized or no, and however covered by cares and duties.
Permalink to quote #67 The grand show is eternal. It is always sunrise somewhere; the dew is never dried all at once; a shower is forever falling; vapor is ever rising. Eternal sunri…
Permalink to quote #64
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