Inspiration from the garden. November 9, 2009
Posted by ourfriendben in gardening, wit and wisdom.Tags: famous gardening quotes, gardening quotes, inspiration from the garden
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It’s me, Richard Saunders of Poor Richard’s Almanac fame, here today with some garden-inspired quotes to get us going on a Monday morning. It may be autumn, but Nature’s grand display isn’t over yet! We could all use some of the optimism of the gardener—the confidence that spring will follow winter as the day the night, that every year brings the hope of a new garden, and that a mistake can always be turned into a triumph with the help of a good eye and a good spade—to look at the week—and the world—in a whole new way. See which of these quotes speaks to you!
If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need.—Marcus Tullius Cicero
Even if something is left undone, everyone must take time to sit and watch the leaves turn.—Elizabeth Lawrence
Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower.—Albert Camus
An optimistic gardener is one who believes that whatever goes down must come up.—Leslie Hall
Some people are always grumbling that roses have thorns. I am thankful that thorns have roses.—Alphonse Karr
The greatest service which can be rendered any country is to add a useful plant to its culture.—Thomas Jefferson
Let my words, like vegetables, be tender and sweet, for tomorrow I may have to eat them.—Anonymous
Gardens are not made by singing “Oh, how beautiful,” and sitting in the shade.—Rudyard Kipling
Men must not turn into bees, and kill themselves in stinging others.—Sir Francis Bacon
Though an old man, I am but a young gardener.—Thomas Jefferson
Gardening requires lots of water—most of it in the form of perspiration.—Lou Erickson
I will love the light for it shows me the way, yet I will endure the darkness because it shows me the stars.—Og Mandino [OK, this may not be about gardening per se, but it still fits into the nature theme!---RS]
Now I’m motivated to go water my hot peppers and fill the bird feeders! How about you? And which of your favorite gardening quotes have I forgotten?
Enjoyed your post! Rudyard Kipling’s words would be my favorite here. Now, I need to get myself away from this electronic box and go plant some bulbs.
Thanks, Tatyana! Go for it! I’d like to add some more bulbs around here, too. Hmmm…
I like the sentiment on the Cicero quote, but you can tell he was saying this pre-internet. Garden+library only works if it’s a very large library.
The Cicero quote’s my favorite too, Mr. S., which is why I put it first. But you make a good point!
I would like to add one that has nothing to do with fall. Just my longing for summer.
O love and summer! You are in my dreams and heart.
~Walt Whitman
I guess I liked the first one best too! I am a sucker for free stuff . And libraries keep the clutter to a minimum because I read the books and send ‘em back.
That IS a great quote, Rosey! (Though I’d have said “O love and autumn!”)
here’s one of my favorites! “In the spring, at the end of the day, you should smell like dirt.” (Margaret Atwood) I have always loved the cicero quote….It speaks to me! gail
Ha! A classic quote, Gail! Too bad she didn’t address how to get the dirt out from under one’s nails. A perennial problem (so to speak…)!
“Convince me that you have a seed there, and I am prepared to expect wonders” Thoreau
I’m always amazed by seeds. They are tiny packets of miracles. It continues to amaze me every year that something that is so small and looks so dead to start with and can give you so much – food to feed your family and flowers to feed the soul.
So true!!!
“The pedigree of honey
Does not concern the bee.
A flower anytime
To him, is aristocracy”
I especially love the Cicero quote too. It reminded me of a friend of mine who wanted to open a bookstore years ago. She wanted to call it “The Bookworm’s Garden”. Isn’t that a perfect name?!
Great Atwood quote too, Gail.
Good one, Jen! We should never overlook Miss Emily. And yes, I love “The Bookworm’s Garden.” Inspired!