Thousands of tired, nerve-shaken, over-civilized people are beginning to find out that going to the mountains is going home; that wildness is a necessity; and that mountain parks and reservations are useful not only as fountains of timber and irrigating rivers, but as fountains of life. Awakening from the stupefying effects of the vice of over-industry and the deadly apathy of luxury, they are trying as best they can to mix and enrich their own little ongoings with those of Nature, and to get rid of rust and disease. John Muir
About This Quote

In this quote from John Muir, the writer talks about how the growing number of people who are tired of city life and want to escape it by going to the mountains, is beginning to see that going to the mountain is going home. It can be a place of refuge from the stifling effects of over-civilization. People who go to the mountains must learn that they must not be afraid to enjoy nature without fear of disease or rust. They must also learn that they cannot rely on machines, but must work hard with their own hands.

Source: Our National Parks

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More Quotes By John Muir
  1. On no subject are our ideas more warped and pitiable than on death.. Let children walk with nature, let them see the beautiful blendings and communions of death and life, their joyous inseparable unity, as taught in woods and meadows, plains and mountains and streams...
  2. When one tugs at a single thing in nature, he finds it attached to the rest of the world.
  3. This time it is real – all must die, and where could mountaineer find a more glorious death!
  4. 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.
  5. Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where Nature may heal and cheer and give strength to body and soul alike.
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