The important thing is not so much that every child should be taught, as that every child should be given the wish to learn.
John LubbockRead
All those who love Nature she loves in return, and will richly reward, not perhaps with the good things, as they are commonly called, but with the best things of this world-not with money and titles, horses and carriages, but with bright and happy thoughts, contentment and peace of mind.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Nature reciprocates the love it receives, offering intangible rewards like peace and happiness.
This quote highlights the reciprocal relationship between humans and nature, suggesting that those who appreciate and love nature will be rewarded not with material wealth but with a deep sense of fulfillment, joy, and tranquility. The emphasis is on the intangible benefits, such as happy thoughts and inner peace, that come from a genuine connection with the natural world.
Themes
NatureLovePeaceContentmentHappinessThoughts
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about environmental conservation, you might use this quote to emphasize the importance of appreciating nature.
More from John Lubbock
All quotes →If we are ever in doubt about what to do, it is a good rule to ask ourselves what we shall wish on the morrow that we had done.
John LubbockRead
Earth and sky, woods and fields, lakes and rivers, the mountain and the sea, are excellent schoolmasters, and teach some of us more than we can ever learn from books.
John LubbockRead
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