Born April 21, 1838, Scottish immigrant John Muir found his home in America and today is probably America’s most famous naturalist and conservationist. As an inspiring writer, environmental philosopher and founder of Sierra Club, a prominent American conservation organization, he left us legacy full of contagiously inspiring words about the splendor and beauty of nature and the need to preserve it from commercial exploitation. John Muir’s quotes about nature are so lyrical and filled with such wonder and astonishment that will ignite your sense of adventure and inspire the adventurer in you to connect with nature.
Also known as “John of the Mountains”, he dedicated his life and writings to the preservation of the wilderness, forests and national parks, such as Yosemite, Grand Canyon, and Sequoia and King’s Canyon national parks. He is often considered as the “Father of the National Parks”, and even one of the most popular hiking trails in the Sierra Nevada was named in his honor. In his letters, essays and books he writes about his adventures in nature with such enthusiasm and spirituality that it’s no wonder that he inspired millions of readers to cherish nature and truly appreciate the richness of wildlife we have on our planet.
John Muir is often quoted in today’s life full of environmental problems and climate changes when the necessity to protect our nature and natural resources is stronger than ever. Also, he frequently talked about negative aspects of running after money and emphasized the positive aspects that exploring of the outdoors can have on our body and soul. This is very applicable in the modern world and represents one more reason why John Muir’s quotes and thoughts resonate so powerfully today and are often cited.
That’s why we wanted to give you a glimpse of his wisdom that is just as important today as it was a hundred years ago. So if you love forests, mountains, wildlife and nature around us, you’ll know how to appreciate beautiful and inspiring John Muir’s quotes. And if you love sunsets, don’t miss 10 jaw-dropping sunsets you have to see in your lifetime.
Best John Muir’s quotes about woods, mountains, and God
Few places in this world are more dangerous than home. Fear not, therefore, to try the mountain passes. They will kill care, save you from deadly apathy, set you free, and call forth every faculty into vigorous, enthusiastic action. – John Muir
Going to the mountains is going home. – John Muir
No synonym for God is so perfect as Beauty. Whether as seen carving the lines of the mountains with glaciers, or gathering matter into stars, or planning the movements of water, or gardening – still all is Beauty! – John Muir
Between every two pines is a doorway to a new world. – John Muir
I only went out for a walk and finally concluded to stay out till sundown, for going out, I found, was really going in. – John Muir
These temple destroyers, devotees of ravaging commercialism, seem to have a perfect contempt for Nature, and, instead of lifting their eyes to the God of the mountains, lift them to the Almighty Dollar. – John Muir
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. – John Muir
The sun shines not on us but in us. The rivers flow not past, but through us. Thrilling, tingling, vibrating every fiber and cell of the substance of our bodies, making them glide and sing. The trees wave and the flowers bloom in our bodies as well as our souls, and every bird song, wind song, and tremendous storm song of the rocks in the heart of the mountains is our song, our very own, and sings our love. – John Muir
This grand show is eternal. It is always sunrise somewhere; the dew is never all dried at once; a shower is forever falling; vapor is ever rising. Eternal sunrise, eternal sunset, eternal dawn and gloaming, on sea and continents and islands, each in its turn, as the round earth rolls. – John Muir
In every walk with Nature one receives far more than he seeks. – John Muir
I am losing precious days. I am degenerating into a machine for making money. I am learning nothing in this trivial world of men. I must break away and get out into the mountains to learn the news. – John Muir
As long as I live, I’ll hear waterfalls and birds and winds sing. I’ll interpret the rocks, learn the language of flood, storm, and the avalanche. I’ll acquaint myself with the glaciers and wild gardens, and get as near the heart of the world as I can. – John Muir
The mountains are calling and I must go. – John Muir
There is a love of wild nature in everybody, an ancient mother-love showing itself whether recognized or no, and however covered by cares and duties. – John Muir
Of all the paths you take in life, make sure a few of them are dirt. – John Muir
The world’s big and I want to have a good look at it before it gets dark. – John Muir
God has cared for these trees, saved them from drought, disease, avalanches, and a thousand tempests and floods. But he cannot save them from fool. – John Muir
The snow is melting into music. – John Muir
