Science tends more and more to reveal to us the unity that underlies the diversity of nature. We must have diversity in our practical lives; we must seize Nature by many handles. But our intellectual lives demand unity, demand simplicity amid all this complexity. Our religious lives demand the same. Amid all the diversity of creeds and sects we are coming more and more to see that religion is one, that verbal differences and ceremonies are unimportant, and that the fundamental agreements are alone significant. Religion as a key or passport to some other world has had its day; as a mere set of statements or dogmas about the Infinite mystery it has had its day. Science makes us more and more at home in this world, and is coming more and more, to the intuitional mind, to have a religious value. Science kills credulity and superstition but to the well-balanced mind it enhances the feeling of wonder, of veneration, and of kinship which we feel in the presence of the marvelous universe. It quiets our fears and apprehensions, it pours oil upon the troubled waters of our lives, and reconciles us to the world as it is.
~ John Burroughs
(Accepting the Universe)
A very wise being! So even more true in our day and age.
Especially as we come to understand more and more that science and spirit are one. Hope you’re feeling better, Jeff!
“…demand simplicity amid all this complexity.”
yes, Yes, YES!
Amen! 🙂
Hi Barbara,
Yes a very wise man indeed.
I wonder what it might have been like to sit down and have a long conversation with him…
Wonderful quote. I read it over a few times, just to be sure I didn’t miss anything. 🙂
There IS a lot of food for thought in those words, Robin. It’s wonderful how words have different ways of hitting us depending upon our mindset when reading them…
To enhance “the feeling of wonder, of veneration, and of kinship which we feel in the presence of the marvelous universe.”
To “quiet our fears and apprehensions, …pour oil upon the troubled waters of our lives, and reconcile us to the world as it is.”
That’s what it’s all about.
Hope you won’t mind if I edit the mistake you mentioned… 🙂 The parts you quoted are indeed very apropos.
I had to read it twice. It get’s even better and more meaningful the second time I read it. great post/blog.
Welcome to “By the Sea,” island traveler! I’m happy you found meaning in the quote!
Such a thoughtful piece! We speak about Unity in Diversity, but what matters is how much united we stand in reality. The description is perfect! Thanks for sharing this message 🙂
You’re welcome, Sonali! 🙂 Unity in diversity is a goal worth striving for, a must if we are to coexist on this little blue planet…
What a wonderful message in every way, Barbara – how natural science can enhance the wonder and kinship we feel, and how embracing diversity is a way to unite us.
And the photographs you share on your blog, Cait, enhance the awe and kinship I feel for nature and her many tiny wonders.
Thank you, Barbara!
I also read it more than once. Do you know John Burroughs’ dates??
Is that a painting?
According to Wikipedia John Burroughs was born April 3, 1837 in Roxbury, New York, and died March 29, 1921 (aged 83) on a train near Kingsville, Ohio. I believe it is a photograph, but I can’t seem to find any information on Edward B. Greene. It seems Burroughs was ahead of his time for Western thinkers anyway…
I wish more people could consider this wisdom.
Me, too! It seems the more we learn to respect and tolerate differences the more united we become as humans.
dear and divine…. it is pure wisdom….
Science is to know nature, religion is to know God.
Science and religion are two ends of one chain only.
love all.
I love the words you used to describe these truths about science and spirit…