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Quote by Michael Pollan

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The Botany of Desire: A Plant's-Eye View of the World

Michael Pollan's The Botany of Desire is a thought-provoking examination of the intricate relationships between humans and plants. The author uses a plant's-eye view to explore the evolution of human desires and how these desires have shaped the development of agriculture, culture, and society. The book examines the apple, tulip, potato, and cannabis, revealing the deep connections between these plants and the human experience. more

Author

Michael Pollan
Michael Pollan

Michael Pollan is an American author renowned for his insightful views on food, agriculture, and culture. His work explores the impact of the modern food industry on health, the environment, and society, as well as the necessity of sustainable food systems. more

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“And do you know, do you know that mankind can live without the Englishman, it. An live without Germany, it can live only too well without the Russian man, it can live without science, without bread, and it only cannot live without beauty, for then there would be nothing at all to do in the world! The whole secret is here, the whole of history is here! Science itself would not stand for a minute without beauty—are you aware of that, you who are laughing?—it would turn into boorishness, you couldn’t invent the nail! . . . I will not yield!”

Book:Demons

“Beauty arrests our attention to look upward. It reminds us that there are things in life, such as love and the divine, that we long for so ardently we know---even if we only know it for a fleeting moment---that our yearnings are far deeper than our eyes can see. And that's what faith is, I think." William situated his elbow against the ground and propped his fist against his cheek. "That's really profound." "Thank you," Eliza smiled. "That's why I like to include bluebirds in my paintings. They're a reminder that while beauty may be fickle in its coming and going, there's a permanence in the impression it leaves on our hearts. There are roots growing within us that sustain its wings. And maybe that, really, makes beauty the greatest witness to glory there is.”

“You thought you could create more indigo, and I understand why you wished it, Eliza, for indigo is the color of bluebirds, the color of the twilight sky. Newton insisted it be added to the colors of the rainbow, and once upon a time, its cousin true blue was such a rare pigment, its price rivaled gold. People have fought wars over indigo crops and used it to bolster and brag of their wealth. Why? All in an attempt to make beauty lasting.”

“If someone is consummately beautiful and ordinary, why is he the only one capable of inspiring fantasy? I’ve never told you, I was never happy, never ever, only in a few moments, but in the end I did see beauty. You’ll ask what that’s good for. It doesn’t need to accomplish anything, it’s enough in itself. I’ve see so many other things, but they were never enough. The mind doesn’t move any other mind, only ones of the same mind, I’m sorry, I know you consider beauty to be the lesser of the two, but it does move the mind and spirit.”

Book:Malina