William Wordsworth on nature

We must be free or die, who speak the tongue
That Shakespeare spake; the faith and morals hold
Which Milton held.

To me the meanest flower that blows can give
Thoughts that do often lie too deep for tears.

And ‘t is my faith, that every flower
Enjoys the air it breathes.

Every day, man is making bigger and better fool-proof things, and every day, nature is making bigger and better fools. So far, I think nature is winning.

Albert Einstein1879–1955

Nature does nothing uselessly.

Aristotle384–322 BCPolitics, Book I, 1253a.8

Nature scarcely ever gives us the very best; for that we must have recourse to art.

Baltasar Gracián1601–1658

• Art