Strange the faithless fuss made about taking a walk in the safest and pleasantest of all places, a wilderness.
You know that I have not lagged behind in the work of exploring our grand wilderness, and in calling everybody to come and enjoy the thousand blessings they have to offer.
Any fool can destroy trees, they cannot run away.
I am very blessed. The Valley is full of people, but they do not annoy me. I revolve in pathless places and in higher rocks than the world and his ribbony wife can reach.
Nature had gathered her choicest treasures, to draw her lovers into close and confiding communion with her.
Going to the woods is going home, for I suppose we came from the woods originally.
In every country the mountains are fountains, not only of rivers but of men. Therefore we all are born mountaineers, the offspring of rock and sunshine.
Many of Nature’s finest lessons are to be found in her storms, and if careful to keep in right relations with them, we may go safely abroad with them, rejoicing in the grandeur and beauty of their works and ways.
The United States government has always been proud of the welcome it has extended to good men of every nation, seeking freedom and homes and bread.
Ihave precious little sympathy for theselfish proprietyof civilized man, and if awarof racesshould occurbetween the wild beasts and Lord Man, I would be tempted to sympathise with the bears.
To the sane and free it will hardly seem necessary to cross the continent in search of wild beauty, however easy the way, for they find it in abundance wherever they chance to be.
Government protection should be thrown around every wild grove and forest on the mountains, as it is around every private orchard, and the trees in public parks. To say nothing of their value as fountains of timber, they are worth infinitely more than all the gardens and parks of towns.
I always befriended animals and have said many a good word for them. Even to the least-loved mosquitoes I gave many a meal, and told them to go in peace.
Man has injured every animal he has touched.
All Nature’s wildness tells the same story: the shocks and outbursts of earthquakes, volcanoes, geysers, roaring, thundering waves and floods, the silent uprush of sap in plants, storms of every sort, each and all, are the orderly, beauty-making love-beats of Nature’s heart.
Men use care in purchasing a horse, and are neglectful in choosing friends.
I always enjoyed the hearty society of a snowstorm.
But to gain a perfect view, one must go yet further, over a curving brow to a slight shelf on the extreme brink.
I’ve had a great time in South America and South Africa. Indeed it now seems that on this pair of wild hot continents I’ve enjoyed the most fruitful year of my life.
There is a love of wild nature in everybody, an ancient mother-love showing itself whether recognized or no, and however covered by cares and duties.