Endurance is nobler than strength, and patience than beauty.
John RuskinRead
Of all the things that oppress me, this sense of the evil working of nature herself -my disgust at her barbarity -clumsiness -darkness -bitter mockery of herself -is the most desolating.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote expresses deep disillusionment with the harsh and often cruel aspects of nature.
In this quote, John Ruskin reflects on the oppressive feelings he experiences due to the perceived brutality and mockery inherent in nature. He finds this realization particularly desolating, suggesting that the understanding of nature's clumsiness and darkness can lead to profound discontent and existential despair.
Themes
NatureOppressionDisillusionmentDarknessBarbarity
In practice
Example use cases
During a discussion on environmental issues, one might reference this quote to express the harsh realities of nature.
More from John Ruskin
All quotes →In health of mind and body, men should see with their own eyes, hear and speak without trumpets, walk on their feet, not on wheels, and work and war with their arms, not with engine-beams, nor rifles warranted to kill twenty men at a shot before you can see them.
John RuskinRead
You talk of the scythe of Time, and the tooth of Time: I tell you, Time is scytheless and toothless; it is we who gnaw like the worm - we who smite like the scythe. It is ourselves who abolish - ourselves who consume: we are the mildew, and the flame.
John RuskinRead
To be able to ask a question clearly is two-thirds of the way to getting it answered.
John RuskinRead
See that your children be taught, not only the labors of the earth, but the loveliness of it.
John RuskinRead
A little thought and a little kindness are often worth more than a great deal of money.
John RuskinRead
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