……but work in the field has nothing to do with dignity or with anything except patience, concentration, and eternal vigilance

The marsh, to him who enters it in a receptive mood, holds, besides mosquitoes and stagnation, melody, the mystery of unknown waters, and the sweetness of Nature undisturbed by man.

I can only think of one experience which might exceed in interest a few hours spent under water, and that would be a journey to Mars.

A first walk in any new country is one of the things which makes life on this planet worth being grateful for.

To be a Naturalist is better than to be a King.

The isness of things is well worth studying; but it is their whyness that makes life worth living.

Earth has few secrets from the birds.

Butterflies doing strange things in very beautiful ways were in my mind when I sat down, but by the time my pen was uncapped my thoughts had shifted to rocks.

We could all use the power of prayer now and then, but it seems to me that the people who are sure they have a direct line to heaven are most often calling collect with bad news.

The path that reveals itself to you is the path you are meant to take.

To succeed even once you have to try at least once.

When in doubt, favor compassionover certainty or tradition.

A positive attitude is something everyone can work on, and everyone can learn how to employ it.

The batteries are gradually becoming charged, and if the prudence of the government does not provide an outlet for the currents that are accumulating, some day the spark will be generated.

They address an Eclipse every morning, whom they call their "Father."

It's funny, but three of my early films were with Liam Neeson, before Liam Neeson was a big star.

When you're feeling your worst, that's when you get to know yourself the best.

My A-number one visceral fear is speed. More than knives or snakes or confined spaces. Speed. I won't even go on a motor boat if I can help it.