I was shaped by the west and have lived most of my life in it, and nothing would gratify me more than to see it in all its subregions and subcultures both prosperous and environmentally healthy, with a civilization to match its scenery.

Every action is an idea before it is an action, and perhaps a feeling before it is an idea, and every idea rests upon other ideas that have preceded it in time.

No life goes past so swiftly as an eventless one, no clock spins like a clock whose days are all alike.

How much wilderness do the wilderness-lovers want? ask those who would mine and dig and cut and dam in such sanctuary spots as these. The answer is easy: Enough so that there will be in the years ahead a little relief, a little quiet, a little relaxation, for any of our increasing millions who need and want it.

I am impressed by how much of my grandparent's life depended on continuities, contacts, connections, friendships, and blood relationships.

A political animal can be defined as a body that will go on circulating a petition even with its heart cut out.

Do we respond only to people who seem to find us interesting?