Today’s quote–All good things are wild and free–comes from “Walking,” an extensive essay written for The Atlantic by Henry David Thoreau, the American essayist, philosopher, and naturalist best known for Walden and “Civil Disobedience.” The essay, published after his death, was a combination of two lectures, “Walking” (1851) and “The Wild” (1852), which Thoreau combined, separated, and combined again for publication (1862).
The opening of the essay provides a clear snapshot of the content:
I wish to speak a word for Nature, for absolute freedom and wildness, as contrasted with a freedom and culture merely civil— to regard man as an inhabitant, or a part and parcel of Nature, rather than a member of society.
When I shot the photo above (last year, late spring), my “real” camera was out of commission, but I was determined to still take advantage of photo opportunities. As a friend and I were leaving a bookstore late one morning, a mini-daisy field caught my eye. How odd it seemed in the middle of all the commerce! Neither the magazine purchased nor the hot beverage consumed could evoke the good feelings that a moment with the daisies yielded.
The one sentence from Thoreau’s essay captured my feelings–“all good things are wild and free.”
The full quote sums up preceding paragraphs in which he valorizes the “untamed” or natural over the “civilized” and cultivated.
In short, all good things are wild and free. There is something in a strain of music, whether produced by an instrument or by the human voice—take the sound of a bugle in a summer night, for instance-which by its wildness, to speak without satire, reminds me of the cries emitted by wild beasts in their native forests. It is so much of their wildness as I can understand.
Take a moment to read the entire essay. If you want to know more about Thoreau, see the Walden Woods Project. There’s a series of links near the end of the Thoreau background information page that you will find useful.
“The Spirit of Sauntering,” a Brain Pickings article published a few years ago, offers an analysis of Thoreau’s “Walking.” You might want to check that out too–or instead, if Thoreau’s writing style does not appeal to you.
Today’s challenge nominees (see previous post for rules):
It’s almost the weekend! Be sure to tune in tomorrow for my final quote of the challenge.
Well, I can’t say that I totally agree with the quote you chose but it does fit with your flower photo. Super photo Chandra
What?! You don’t agree? Lol!
Thanks for the compliment…😊
I am with you on that. If all good things are wild and free, how come health care is a good thing?
Let’s see if we can make it a “more” (relatively) truthful statement: “good things [should] be (wild and) free.” Or maybe the word “good” is the problem. “All things that feed [or awaken] our souls are wild and free.” Your turn! 🙂
What is free? Don’t we pay with time if it is not costing money? With commitment (if it is love)? With pain (for we know the pain of losing things and persons we appreciate)? I love your enthusiasm, maybe at nearly 50 I am just too old to have so much unwarranted optimism.
Great quote and such a beautiful pic too. I’m glad to see you have challenged a very good friend of mine. He is very busy right now, but if he decides to take your challenge you are in for a treat!
You are a sweetie😊
💕
I know. I love his posts! And…thanks for the compliment!
Have a great weekend Chandra.
Love this! I’ll give this is shot soon!
Yay! I’m looking forward to your posts.
Thank you for the nomination Chandra. I will indeed accept it and will get it ready for when my b&w challenge finishes in a week or so. Loved the quote😊
Thanks! Looking froward…
Beautiful picture and quote, Chandra! 😄
Thank you! 🙂
Beautiful shot!
Thank you, Roda!
Thank you Chandra for including me in your nominees list..After my travel break, I will see how I can fulfil my “mission”. Love the photo, these colours express Hope…
Thank you, Louise!
Beautiful photo Chandra, as usual, it is a work of art. The quote you have used sets me free in many ways mentally and spiritually and physically.
Awesome! Of course, we are both lovers of nature and Thoreau, so I’m not surprised. 😉
OOPS! I nominated Louise as well. Would help if I was caught up on my blog visits. LOL. Love this image, and the quote, and the reminder of Thoreau 🙂
LOL! That just means she HAS to do it! 😀 Thanks for loving the image (and quote).