QuoteProject
All things are artificial, for nature is the art of God.
Thomas Browne
ShareWTF𝕏

Interpretation

What this quote means

Everything created by humans is influenced by nature, which is ultimately designed by a divine power.

This quote by Thomas Browne suggests that all human creations are, in a sense, artificial because they derive from the natural world, which itself is viewed as the ultimate form of art created by God. It emphasizes the interconnectedness of nature and human ingenuity, positing that our artificial constructs are merely imitations of the profound beauty and complexity found in nature, which reflects a divine artistry.

Themes

ArtificialNatureArtGodPhilosophy

In practice

Example use cases

In a class discussion on the relationship between nature and creativity.

More from Thomas Browne

No one should approach the temple of science with the soul of a money changer.
Thomas BrowneRead
Content may dwell in all stations. To be low but above contempt may be high enough to be happy.
Thomas BrowneRead
Thus there are two books from whence I collect my Divinity; besides that written one of God, another of his servant Nature, that universal and public Manuscript, that lies expans'd unto the eyes of all; those that never saw him in the one, have discovered him in the other.
Thomas BrowneRead
To be content with death may be better than to desire it.
Thomas BrowneRead
Life itself is but the shadow of death, and souls departed but the shadows of the living.
Thomas BrowneRead
The long habit of living indisposeth us for dying.
Thomas BrowneRead

Similar quotes

There are hidden contradictions in the minds of people who "love Nature" while deploring the "artificialities" with which "Man has spoiled Nature.'" The obvious contradiction lies in their choice of words, which imply that Man and his artifacts are not part of "Nature" : but beavers and their dams are.
Robert A. HeinleinRead
We ought to dance with rapture that we should be alive and in the flesh, and part of the living, incarnate cosmos.
D. H. LawrenceRead
Clumsiness attempts to fix simplicity straight in the eye. It is not a mark of incompetence but of reticence.
Jean-Luc GodardRead
The psychic depths are nature, and nature is creative life.
Carl JungRead
So each had a private little sun for her soul to bask in; some dream, some affection, some hobby, or at least some remote and distant hope.
Thomas HardyRead
Philosophy consists very largely of one philosopher arguing that all others are jackasses. He usually proves it, and I should add that he also usually proves that he is one himself.
H. L. MenckenRead

A little wisdom, now and then

Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.

Quote by Thomas Browne | QuoteProject