Yet how hard most people work for mere dust and ashes and care, taking no thought of growing in knowledge and grace, never having time to get in sight of their own ignorance.
John MuirOne learns that the world, though made, is yet being made; that this is still the morning of creation; that mountains long conceived are now being born, channels traced for coming rivers, basins hollowed for lakes.
John MuirI never saw a discontented tree. They grip the ground as though they liked it, and though fast rooted they travel about as far as we do.
John MuirIt is always interesting to see people in dead earnest, from whatever cause, and earthquakes make everybody earnest.
John MuirI was awakened by a tremendous earthquake, and though I hadn ever before enjoyed a storm of this sort, the strange thrilling motion could not be mistaken, and I ran out of my cabin, both glad and frightened, shouting, "A noble earthquake! A noble earthquake" feeling sure I was going to learn something.
John MuirThe last days of this glacial winter are not yet past; we live in 'creation's dawn.' The morning stars still sing together, and the world, though made, is still being made and becoming more beautiful every day.
John MuirBut to gain a perfect view, one must go yet further, over a curving brow to a slight shelf on the extreme brink.
John MuirIn drying plants, botanists often dry themselves. Dry words and dry facts will not fire hearts.
John MuirInk cannot tell the glow that lights me at this moment in turning to the mountains. I feel strong [enough] to leap Yosemite walls at a bound.
John MuirGod never made an ugly landscape. All that sun shines on is beautiful, so long as it is wild.
John MuirAll the world was before me and every day was a holiday, so it did not seem important to which one of the world's wildernesses I first should wander.
John MuirNature had gathered her choicest treasures , to draw her lovers into close and confiding communion with her
John MuirI have a low opinion of books; they are but piles of stones set up to show coming travelers where other minds have been, or at best signal smokes to call attention. No amount of word-making will ever make a single soul to know these mountains. As well seek to warm the naked and frostbitten by lectures on caloric and pictures of flame. One day's exposure to mountains is better than cartloads of books.
John Muir