I am sure I was an evolutionist in the abstract, or by the quality and complexion of my mind, before I read Darwin, but to become an evolutionist in the concrete, and accept the doctrine of the animal origin of man, has not for me been an easy matter. John Burroughs abstractacceptanimal share on social
Emerson's fame as a writer and thinker was firmly established during his lifetime by the books he gave to the world. John Burroughs bookemersonestablish Change image and share on social
Emerson was such an important figure in our literary history, and in the moral and religious development of our people, that attention cannot be directed to him too often. John Burroughs attentiondevelopmentdirect Change image and share on social
To many forms of life of our northern lands, winter means a long sleep; to others, it means what it means to many fortunate human beings - travels in warm climes. To still others, who again have their human prototypes, it means a struggle, more or less fierce, to keep soul and body together; while to many insect forms, it means death. John Burroughs beingbodyclime share on social
I seldom go into a natural history museum without feeling as if I were attending a funeral. John Burroughs attendfeltfuneral Change image and share on social
The very idea of a bird is a symbol and a suggestion to the poet. A bird seems to be at the top of the scale, so vehement and intense is his life, large-brained, large-lunged, hot, ecstatic, his frame charged with buoyancy and his heart with song. John Burroughs birdbrainbuoyancy share on social
To find the universal elements enough; to find the air and the water exhilarating; to be refreshed by a morning walk or an evening saunter... to be thrilled by the stars at night; to be elated over a bird's nest or a wildflower in spring - these are some of the rewards of the simple life. John Burroughs airbirdelate share on social
We love the sight of the brown and ruddy earth; it is the color of life, while a snow-covered plain is the face of death. Yet snow is but the mask of the life-giving rain; it, too, is the friend of man, the tender, sculpturesque, immaculate, warming, fertilizing snow. John Burroughs browncolorcover share on social
If I were to name the three most precious resources of life, I should say books, friends, and nature. And the greatest of these, at least the most constant and always at hand, is nature. John Burroughs bookconstantfriend Change image and share on social
The lure of the distant and the difficult is deceptive. The great opportunity is where you are. John Burroughs deceptivedifficultdistant Change image and share on social