Skip to content
quotesby

About this quote

What does it mean?
Nature was the original place of worship before human built structures existed.
In plain terms
God's first churches were natural places like forests.
What can you take from it?
Respect nature as a sacred space.

Where it applies

  • spiritual reflection
  • nature appreciation
  • religious debate

Putting it to work

  • visit natural sites
  • consider environmental ethics
  • reflect on creation

Questions to consider

  • What counts as a temple today?
  • Is nature inherently sacred?

Another view

It assumes a specific theological view that may not be universal.

More from William Cullen Bryant

  1. The little wind-flower, whose just opened eye Is blue as the spring heaven it gazes at.

    Permalink to quote #6
  2. Ah, why Should we, in the world's riper years, neglect God's ancient sanctuaries, and adore Only among the crowd and under roofs That our frail hands have rais…

    Permalink to quote #8
  3. Oh, sun! that o'er the western mountains now Goest down in glory! ever beautiful And blessed is thy radiance, whether thou Colourest the eastern heaven and nig…

    Permalink to quote #5

Related quotes

  1. A few minutes ago every tree was excited, bowing to the roaring storm, waving, swirling, tossing their branches in glorious enthusiasm like worship. But though…

    John MuirJohn Muir quote #29
  2. Give beauty back, beauty, beauty, beauty, back to God, beauty's self and beauty's giver.

    Gerard Manley HopkinsGerard Manley Hopkins quote #50
  3. God is self-evident, impersonal, omniscient, the Knower and the Master of nature, the Lord of all. He is behind all worship and it is being done according to H…

    Swami VivekanandaSwami Vivekananda quote #87