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John Burroughs

John Burroughs Quotes

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Famous John Burroughs Quotes

“Summer is more wooing and seductive, more versatile and human, appeals to the affections and the sentiments, and fosters inquiry and the art impulse. Winter is of a more heroic cast, and addresses the intellect. The severe studies and disciplines come easier in winter. One imposes larger tasks upon himself, and is less tolerant of his own weaknesses...The simplicity of winter has a deep moral. The return of nature, after such a career of splendor and prodigality, to habits so simple and austere, is not lost either upon the head or the heart. It is the philosopher coming back from the banquet and the wine to a cup of water and a crust of bread.”

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Author:John Burroughs
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“The simplicity of winter has a deep moral. The return of Nature, after such a career of splendor and prodigality, to habits so simple and austere, is not lost either upon the head or the heart. It is the philosopher coming back from the banquet and the wine to a cup of water and a crust of bread.”

HeartLostWaterSimpleMoralCareersReturnHabitWineWinterSimplicityPhilosopherBreadCupsComing BackSplendorBanquetsWinter Days
Book:In the Catskills Selections from the Writings of John Burroughs
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“The sunbeams are welcome now. They seem like pure electricity—like friendly and recuperating lightning. Are we led to think electricity abounds only in summer, when we see in the storm-clouds as it were, the veins and ore-beds of it? I imagine it is equally abundant in winter, and more equable and better tempered. Who ever breasted a snowstorm without being excited and exhilarated, as if this meteor had come charged with latent auroræ of the North, as doubtless it has? It is like being pelted with sparks from a battery.”

IfsThinkingSeemsImaginePureBedSummerWinterCloudsExcitedStormWelcomeFriendlySparksLightningElectricityVeinsBatteriesLatentSunbeamsMeteorsStorm CloudsSnowstorms
Book:John Burroughs' America: Selections from the Writings of the Naturalist
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“All sounds are sharper in winter; the air transmits better. At night I hear more distinctly the steady roar of the North Mountain. In summer it is a sort of complacent purr, as the breezes stroke down its sides; but in winter always the same low, sullen growl.”

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Book:In the Catskills Selections from the Writings of John Burroughs
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“If the October days were a cordial like the sub-acids of fruit, these are a tonic like the wine of iron. Drink deep or be careful how you taste this December vintage. The first sip may chill, but a full draught warms and invigorates.”

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Book:John Burroughs' America: Selections from the Writings of the Naturalist
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