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Never have I met another man of such singleness of mind in his devotion to nature as Muir. He lived and moved and had his being as a devotee. Of himself he took little heed, but no zealous missionary ever went abroad to spread the gospel with his fervor in communicating a love of nature. And with him a love of nature meant an understanding of her laws. Every tree and flower, every bird and stone was to him the outward token of an invisible world in process of making.... He sauntered over the mountains, claiming kinship with the rocks and growing things and gathering them all to his heart. He has told me that he found it necessary, in getting people to listen, to tell them stories such as his immortal tale of Stickeen , but the real hope in his heart was to awaken their interest so they would want to go to nature themselves and to delve into the mysteries of her ways.

John Muir#86

NatureWildernessInspirationEducationDevotionStorytelling

About this quote

What does it mean?
Muir’s devotion to nature was singular and missionary-like, using stories to spark others’ curiosity.
In plain terms
He shared his love of nature like a missionary spreading a gospel.
What can you take from it?
Use stories to help others discover nature's wonders.

Where it applies

  • teaching
  • mentorship
  • advocacy

Putting it to work

  • teaching
  • writing stories
  • guided tours

Questions to consider

  • How do you share what you love?
  • What inspires your dedication?

Another view

His single-minded focus left little room for other pursuits.

More from John Muir

  1. The impression of his personality was so strong on those who knew him that all words seem cheap beside it. Those who never knew him can never, through any word…

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  2. His simplicity was his power. He knew nature as no one else did... His affection for the commonplace little pine-needle was as genuine as that for the most bea…

    Permalink to quote #87
  3. John Muir will never be fully appreciated by those whose minds are filled with money getting and the sordid things of modern every-day life. To such Muir is an…

    Permalink to quote #84

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