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'...by association with natures enormities, a man's heart may truly grow big also. There is a way of looking upon a landscape as a moving picture and being satisfied with nothing less big as a moving picture, a way of looking upon tropic clouds over the horizon as the backdrop of a stage and being satisfied with nothing less big as a backdrop, a way of looking upon the mountain forests as a private garden and being satisfied with nothing less as a private garden, a way of listening to the roaring waves as a concert and being satisfied with nothing less as a concert, and a way of looking upon the mountain breeze as an air-cooling system and being satisfied with nothing less as an air-cooling system. So do we become big, even as the earth and firmaments are big. Like the 'Big Man' described by Yuan Tsi (A.D. 210-263), one of China's first romanticists, we 'live in heaven and earth as our house.'' (p. 282-283)

Lin Yutang#11

NaturePhilosophyGrowthMindfulnessPerspectiveRomanticism

About this quote

What does it mean?
Connecting with nature's vastness expands a person's perspective and spirit.
In plain terms
Seeing the world as grand and artistic makes you feel bigger inside.
What can you take from it?
Immerse yourself in nature to broaden your mindset.

Where it applies

  • viewing landscapes
  • traveling
  • spending time outdoors

Putting it to work

  • practice mindful nature walks
  • visualize scenery as art
  • reflect on vastness

Questions to consider

  • How does nature change your view of yourself?
  • What makes you feel small or big?

Another view

Not everyone has easy access to large natural spaces.

More from Lin Yutang

  1. 'If the early Chinese people had any chivalry, it was manifested not toward women and children, but toward old people. That feeling of chivalry found clear exp…

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  2. 'When the mirror meets with an ugly woman, when a rare ink-stone finds a vulgar owner, and when a good sword is in the hands of a common general, there is utte…

    Permalink to quote #12
  3. 'A man who has to be punctually at a certain place at five o'clock has the whole afternoon from one to five ruined for him already.' (p. 163)

    Permalink to quote #9

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