A man could be a lover and defender of the wilderness without ever in his lifetime leaving the boundaries of asphalt, powerlines, and right-angled surfaces. We need wilderness whether or not we ever set foot in it. We need a refuge even though we may never need to set foot in it. We need the possibility of escape as surely as we need hope; without it the life of the cities would drive all men into crime or drugs or psychoanalysis.

If you're never ridden a fast horse at a dead run across a desert valley at dawn, be of good cheer: You've only missed out on one half of life.

Whatever we cannot easily understand we call God; this saves much wear and tear on the brain tissues.

Are people more important than the grizzly bear? Only from the point of view of some people.

I love America because it is a confused, chaotic mess - and I hope we can keep it this way for at least another thousand years. The permissive society is the free society.

The artist in our time has two chief responsibilities: (1) art; and (2) sedition.

If there's anyone still present whom I've failed to insult . . . I apologize.