The sight of flowers blooming, rain falling, the ocean crashing, and many other natural wonders may seem normal to us. But all these events are only possible in one place; the natural environment, our Mother Earth. If there were other life forms, they would have to travel past countless stars for millions of light-years just to see a butterfly perch on a flower of a whale breach the waters.
From authors to activists and celebrities to scientists, TRVST's curated selection of the best nature quotes below reminds us to appreciate nature and nature's beauty and not to take its presence for granted.
Related: You might also like our compilation of environment quotes for more thoughts championing the preservation and conservation of our natural world.
Quick links to our selection of nature quotes:
Nature unveils wonders as we step away from our screens and daily routines. From the gentle rhythm of waves on the shore to the towering majesty of ancient trees or the zooming dragonfly on a fine day, these experiences remind us of the interconnectedness of all living beings. Feel your soul blossoming as you delve into the best nature quotes that describe these moments.
All the quotes below also make for excellent nature captions on your Instagram or social media posts. Use them to inspire your friends and family to break clear of everyday drudgery with a walk in nature. Or to prompt us all to stop and think twice about our collective impact while enjoying the world's beauty. So share our nature quotes for a little extra feel-good!
"I felt my lungs inflate with the onrush of scenery, air, mountains, trees, people. I thought, This is what it is to be happy."
"The beauty of the natural world lies in the details."
"The most beautiful gift of nature is that it gives one pleasure to look around and try to comprehend what we see."
"This curious world we inhabit is more wonderful than convenient; more beautiful than it is useful; it is more to be admired and enjoyed than used."
"There is pleasure in the pathless woods, there is rapture in the lonely shore, there is society where none intrudes, by the deep sea, and music in its roar; I love not Man the less, but Nature more."
"Beauty and seduction, I believe, is nature's tool for survival, because we will protect what we fall in love with."
"Nature is not always tricked in holiday attire, but the same scene which yesterday breathed perfume and glittered as for the frolic of the nymphs, is overspread with melancholy today. Nature always wears the colors of the spirit. To a man laboring under calamity, the heat of his own fire hath sadness in it."
Some argue we have only one master: nature. Going outside and discovering nature's heart engulfs us with everything good. Whether hiking through a forest, sunbathing on a hidden beach, or admiring a breathtaking waterfall, mother earth unfailingly opens our eyes and pushes us to explore the world around us.
Quotes capturing nature's beauty and power serve as a nudge, reminding us of the awe-inspiring adventures awaiting us when we break free from our daily grind and fully embrace the present moment in the natural world.
To introduce this section, we have a quote from an American naturalist and philosopher, Henry David Thoreau. In his book Walden, for which he is best known, he wrote about the virtues of spending time immersed in nature.
After getting inspired to explore the forest wilderness from the nature quotes below, get outdoors and relish the natural beauty.
"An early morning walk is a blessing for the whole day."
"To me a lush carpet of pine needles or spongy grass is more welcome than the most luxurious Persian rug."
"There’s a whole world out there, right outside your window. You’d be a fool to miss it."
"Let the rain kiss you. Let the rain beat upon your head with silver liquid drops. Let the rain sing you a lullaby."
"I'm happiest walking through fields, on beaches, and over riverbanks. Nature is my surrogate mother."
"And forget not that the earth delights to feel your bare feet and the winds long to play with your hair."
"Life sucks a lot less when you add mountain air, a campfire and some peace and quiet."
"Sunshine is delicious, rain is refreshing, wind braces us up, snow is exhilarating; there is really no such thing as bad weather, only different kinds of good weather."
"I think nature's imagination is so much greater than man's, she's never going to let us relax"
Nature holds a treasure trove of wisdom, offering lessons on life, growth, and resilience. Just look at the trees and plants around us, patiently and persistently growing through seasons, and you'll see life is a series of cycles filled with opportunities for transformation.
Nature's simplicity also whispers the importance of minimalism, inspiring us to focus on what truly matters.
To start this section, we have the words from a bhakti-traditional monk for nearly 50 years, Radhanath Swami. He is the author of The Journey Home and The Journey Within (both on Amazon) and is the inspiration behind numerous social-aid initiatives across India, like the ISKCON's free meals for over 1 million school kids.
In his nature quote, he says that nature speaks through her outlets—the animals in their natural settings, and the plants are in their routine. They are abiotic in their majesticness. We can learn about the 'mind of nature' and find beauty by observing our environment.
As Voltaire said, "Men argue, Nature acts." Pick more lessons from our planet as you read the nature quotes below.
"Mother Nature is always speaking. She speaks in a language understood within the peaceful mind of the sincere observer. Leopards, cobras, monkeys, rivers and trees; they all served as my teachers when I lived as a wanderer in the Himalayan foothills."
"Nature teaches more than she preaches. There are no sermons in stones. It is easier to get a spark out of a stone than a moral."
"Nature's beauty is a gift that cultivates appreciation and gratitude."
"Everything in nature invites us constantly to be what we are."
"Plant seeds of happiness, hope, success, and love; it will all come back to you in abundance. This is the law of nature."
"By discovering nature, you discover yourself."
"May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view. May your mountains rise into and above the clouds."
"I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived."
"There is a way that nature speaks, that land speaks. Most of the time we are simply not patient enough, quiet enough, to pay attention to the story."
Nature's magical power to heal, comfort, and rejuvenate our minds and bodies often surprises us. Just setting foot in the great outdoors can change our emotional state—lifting our spirits and bringing a sense of calm and inner peace.
To back these claims, multiple studies revealed the effects of nature on our mental and physical health. From the Japanese practice of forest bathing or shinrin yoku1 to the serenity found in urban green spaces, studies have shown immersing ourselves in nature improves our mental health and strengthens our immune system2.
Get a hint of our planet's power to cure through the nature quotes below.
"Time spent amongst trees is never wasted time."
"It is not so much for its beauty that the forest makes a claim upon men's hearts, as for that subtle something, that quality of air that emanation from old trees, that so wonderfully changes and renews a weary spirit."
"If you wish to know the divine, feel the wind on your face and the warm sun on your hand."
"Those who contemplate the beauty of the earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts. There is something infinitely healing in the repeated refrains of nature-the assurance that dawn comes after night, and spring after winter."
"People Just living is not enough… one must have sunshine, freedom, and a little flower."
"I think that I cannot preserve my health and spirits unless I spend four hours a day at least and it is commonly more than that sauntering through the woods and over the hills and fields, absolutely free from all worldly engagements."
Everything we do and create is subject to the influence of nature. When rain falls and volcanoes erupt, we experience the power of nature. In the same light, nature is also subject to our influences. As some of the best nature quotes point out, we need nature more than nature needs us. We could die, and nature would almost certainly be fine. But humans cannot survive without nature.
To start the section, we have Madeleine May Kunin, an American diplomat, author, politician, and Vermont's first female governor. Governor Kunin reminds us that even when we don't treat the earth right, it retains its seasons' essential rhythm.
Next, we also have a quote from Charles Duhigg, a Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist. You may have read his New York Times best-selling books Smarter Faster Better and The Power of Habit (both on Amazon). He talks about our reckless living is putting us all in danger. Water bodies are suffering the effect of sewage overflow caused by humans, which poses an immediate health risk to marine and human lives.
This section of nature quotes not only reminds us of our actions' impact on our natural surroundings but also urges us to take action.
"When all the world appears to be in a tumult, and nature itself is feeling the assault of climate change, the seasons retain their essential rhythm. Yes, fall gives us a premonition of winter, but then, winter, will be forced to relent, once again, to the new beginnings of soft greens, longer light, and the sweet air of spring."
"Nature doesn't need people people need nature; nature would survive the extinction of the human being and go on just fine, but human culture, human beings, cannot survive without nature."
"The least movement is of importance to all nature. The entire ocean is affected by a pebble."
"Around New York City, samples collected at dozens of beaches or piers have detected the types of bacteria and other pollutants tied to sewage overflows. Though the city's drinking water comes from upstate reservoirs, environmentalists say untreated excrement and other waste in the city's waterways pose serious health risks."
Nature seduces us as a way of fighting for her survival. It wants humans to fall in love with her so that they can all protect her. So if we keep the beauty we see around us, we must love nature and protect her.
To start this section, we have a nature quote from environmental conservationist Stewart Lee Udall, an American politician who served three terms as an Arizona Congressman. Udall preserved tens of millions of hectares of land and played a crucial part in forming several acts, including the Wilderness Act of 1964 and the Endangered Species Act of 1973. Udall believes the protection of nature equates to protecting man. The plants purify the air, and the wildlife protects and provides for man. Therefore, we should see acts done to conserve and preserve nature as acts done to promote man's welfare.
Sometimes, a handful of thought-provoking words is all it takes to spark a shift in our minds. So may these nature quotes push us to protect what we fall in love with. After all, as the saying goes, "There is no Planet B."
"Plans to protect air and water, wilderness and wildlife are in fact plans to protect man."
"For most of history, man has had to fight nature to survive; in this century he is beginning to realise that, in order to survive, he must protect it."
"Preserve and cherish the pale blue dot, the only home we've ever known."
"Let us permit nature to have her way. She understands her business better than we do."
"The goal of life is to make your heartbeat match the beat of the universe, to match your nature with nature."
"The tree which moves some to tears of joy is in the eyes of others only a green thing that stands in the way. Some see nature all ridicule and deformity…and some scarce see nature at all. But to the eyes of the man of imagination, nature is imagination itself."
Any list of nature quotes will not be complete without the words from John Muir. Muir is known as the "Father of National Parks" and the "John of the Mountains." His writings describe his love of nature and ecology, while his work was instrumental in creating and preserving now world-famous national parks, including Yosemite and Sequoia National Park.
Muir co-founded the Sierra Club, a leading conservation group. From Scottish Heritage and living his later life in America, an annual John Muir day every April 21st is celebrated to recognize his contribution to ecology, our relationship with nature, and conversation.
The nature quotes featured here not only celebrate John Muir's passion for the wild but also serve as a gentle reminder that we must preserve these invaluable spaces for future generations to explore.
"In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks."
"Keep close to Nature's heart... and break clear away, once in awhile, and climb a mountain or spend a week in the woods. Wash your spirit clean."
"The clearest way into the Universe is through a forest wilderness."
"Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop away from you like the leaves of autumn."
"When one tugs at a single thing in nature, he finds it attached to the rest of the world."
Scientists and engineers have long marveled at nature's wonders, drawing inspiration from its intricate patterns and structures throughout history. A perfect example of nature's influence is the field of biomimicry. Take, for instance, the bullet train's design inspired by the kingfisher's beak's aerodynamics or the advanced materials that repel dirt and water, mimicking a lotus leaf's self-cleaning properties. These examples showcase nature's timeless beauty's profound impact on human progress.
Aside from the well-known scientists, this section also has nature quotes from American–Israeli architect and professor at the MIT Media Lab Neri Oxman, and Irish physicist and geology professor at Dublin University, John Joly. One of ICON's list of Twenty Influential Architects to Shape Our Future, Oxman's quote encourages us to embrace nature, solving a sizable number of our material problems in the process.
On the other hand, Joly, known for uranium-thorium dating and over 270 scientific journals, has a nature quote encouraging us to start appreciating the sea and everything underneath, for nature is inarguably beautiful.
Read more insights from great minds through their nature quotes below.
"Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better."
"Those who contemplate the beauty of the earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts. There is something infinitely healing in the repeated refrains of nature -the assurance that dawn comes after night, and spring after winter."
"Nature is an infinite sphere of which the center is everywhere and the circumference nowhere."
"The sun, with all those planets revolving around it and dependent on it, can still ripen a bunch of grapes as if it had nothing else in the universe to do."
"That the sea is one of the most beautiful and magnificent sights in Nature, all admit."
"All my life through, the new sights of nature made me rejoice like a child."
"I believe the best way to begin reconnecting humanity's heart, mind, and soul to nature is for us to share our individual stories."
"Nature is a brilliant engineer and builder. It knows how to create seashells that are twice as strong as the most resistant ceramics human beings can manufacture, and it produces silk fibers five times stronger than steel. Nature also knows how to create multipurpose forms."
Throughout history, authors and poets have found endless inspiration in nature's beauty, using it as a canvas for their literary masterpieces. The literary giants' works, like Thoreau's "Walden" or Wordsworth's "Daffodils," emphasize the importance of connecting with the natural world and appreciating its inherent beauty.
Today, we also have writers like Alice Walker, who is also a social activist. She is famous for her book, The Colour Purple (Amazon), which received the National Book Award for hardcover literature and the Pulitzer Prize for Literature in 1982.
Walker's nature quote below brings to mind the perfect imperfection of nature. Everything is perfectly made, whether it looks normal or not. A tree can be different from others and still be beautiful.
After immersing into the eloquent nature quotes of the authors and poets, schedule a day to spend in a natural environment.
"In nature, nothing is perfect and everything is perfect. Trees can be contorted, bent in weird ways, and they're still beautiful."
"One touch of nature makes the whole world kin."
"Nature's first green is gold, Her hardest hue to hold. Her early leaf's a flower; But only so an hour. Then leaf subsides to leaf. So Eden sank to grief, So dawn goes down to day. Nothing gold can stay."
"A quiet secluded life in the country, with the possibility of being useful to people to whom it is easy to do good, and who are not accustomed to have it done to them; then work which one hopes may be of some use; then rest, nature, books, music, love for one's neighbor such is my idea of happiness."
"If we surrendered to earth's intelligence we could rise up rooted, like trees."
"Nature is full of genius, full of the divinity; so that not a snowflake escapes its fashioning hand."
"It is the sun shining on the rain and the rain falling on the sunshine, and things pushing up and working under the earth."
Nature is everything to us. And preserving nature as it is, is really about preserving ourselves. While impacting the earth through commercial activities is almost inevitable, mutual co-existence with nature's splendor should be our goal. Therefore, we should encourage activities that promote the conservation of not only landmarks and historic sites but also the earth's natural beauty.
One fine example is Frank Lloyd Wright, the eminent American architect who infused nature into the very essence of his architectural designs. It's no wonder that Wright's iconic works, such as Fallingwater, captivate us with their seamless integration into the landscape.
Let's learn how to coexist with the environment by reading the famous personalities' nature quotes below.
"Study nature, love nature, stay close to nature. It will never fail you."
"If you truly love nature, you will find beauty everywhere."
"I think having land and not ruining it is the most beautiful art that anybody could ever want."
"Like music and art, love of nature is a common language that can transcend political or social boundaries."
"The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely or unhappy is to go outside, somewhere where they can be quite alone with the heavens, nature and God. Because only then does one feel that all is as it should be and that God wishes to see people happy, amidst the simple beauty of nature. As longs as this exists, and it certainly always will, I know that then there will always be comfort for every sorrow, whatever the circumstances may be. And I firmly believe that nature brings solace in all troubles."
"I have never been in a natural place and felt that it was a waste of time. I never have. And it's a relief. If I'm walking around a desert or whatever, every second is worthwhile."
"Love the world as your own self; then you can truly care for all things."
Whether it is getting out in the fresh air to explore the true beauty of nature or profoundly immersing ourselves in discovering nature and its meanings, the amazing nature quotes below allows us to express our experience on Instagram and other social media platform.
From the Sagrada Familia's architect Antoni Gaudi to the American cell biologist Barry Commoner who is the author of three environmental books: The Closing Circle, The Poverty of Power, and Making Peace With the Planet (all on Amazon), we can share their numerous insightful nature quotes that sum up our attitude and beliefs toward mother earth.
While listening to our recommended nature songs, engross yourself with all the quotes above and the remaining nature captions, sayings, and quotes below. Then, use them to spread the love for everything natural here on our planet.
"We don’t inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children."
"Nothing is art if it does not come from nature."
"The earth laughs in flowers."
"Where flowers bloom, so does hope."
"Every natural action is graceful."
"Colors are the smiles of nature."
"Choose only one master – nature."
"The proper use of science is not to conquer nature but to live in it."
"Every flower is a soul blossoming in nature."
"I like this place and could willingly waste my time in it."
"Nature is an endless combination and repetition of a very few laws."
"Nature is indifferent to our love, but never unfaithful."
| 1 | Furuyashiki, A., Tabuchi, K., Norikoshi, K., Kobayashi, T., & Oriyama, S. (2019). A comparative study of the physiological and psychological effects of forest bathing (Shinrin-yoku) on working age people with and without depressive tendencies. Environmental health and preventive medicine, 24(1), 46. |
| 2 | Li, Q. (2010). Effect of forest bathing trips on human immune function. Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine, 15(1), 9-17. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12199-008-0068-3 |
Jen’s a passionate environmentalist and sustainability expert. With a science degree from Babcock University Jen loves applying her research skills to craft editorial that connects with our global changemaker and readership audiences centered around topics including zero waste, sustainability, climate change, and biodiversity.
Elsewhere Jen’s interests include the role that future technology and data have in helping us solve some of the planet’s biggest challenges.
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