Few people have ever seriously wished to be exclusively rational. The good life which most desire is a life warmed by passions and touched with that ceremonial grace which is impossible without some affectionate loyalty to traditional form and ceremonies.
About Joseph Wood Krutch
Joseph Wood Krutchwas an American author, critic, and naturalist who wrote nature books on the American Southwest. He is known for developing a pantheistic philosophy.
More quotes from Joseph Wood Krutch
The most serious charge which can be brought against New England is not Puritanism but February.
American writer, critic, and naturalist (1893-1970)
What a man knows is everywhere at war with what he wants.
American writer, critic, and naturalist (1893-1970)
It is sometimes easier to head an institute for the study of child guidance than it is to turn one brat into a decent human being.
American writer, critic, and naturalist (1893-1970)
If we do not permit the earth to produce beauty and joy, it will in the end not produce food, either.
American writer, critic, and naturalist (1893-1970)
Cats are rather delicate creatures and they are subject to a good many different ailments, but I have never heard of one who suffered from insomnia.
American writer, critic, and naturalist (1893-1970)
If people destroy something replaceable made by mankind, they are called vandals; if they destroy something irreplaceable made by God, they are called developers.
American writer, critic, and naturalist (1893-1970)
Few people have ever seriously wished to be exclusively rational. The good life which most desire is a life warmed by passions and touched with that ceremonial grace which is impossible without some affectionate loyalty to traditional form and ceremonies.
American writer, critic, and naturalist (1893-1970)
Any euphemism ceases to be euphemistic after a time and the true meaning begins to show through. It’s a losing game, but we keep on trying.
American writer, critic, and naturalist (1893-1970)
When a man wantonly destroys one of the works of man we call him a vandal. When he destroys one of the works of god we call him a sportsman.
American writer, critic, and naturalist (1893-1970)
Only those within whose own consciousness the sun rise and set, the leaves burgeon and wither, can be said to be aware of what living is.
American writer, critic, and naturalist (1893-1970)
There is no such thing as a dangerous woman; there are only susceptible men.
American writer, critic, and naturalist (1893-1970)
The snow itself is lonely or, if you prefer, self-sufficient. There is no other time when the whole world seems composed of one thing and one thing only.
American writer, critic, and naturalist (1893-1970)
Cats seem to go on the principle that it never does any harm to ask for what you want.
American writer, critic, and naturalist (1893-1970)
It is not ignorance but knowledge which is the mother of wonder.
American writer, critic, and naturalist (1893-1970)
Though many have tried, no one has ever yet explained away the decisive fact that science, which can do so much, cannot decide what it ought to do.
American writer, critic, and naturalist (1893-1970)
Security depends not so much upon how much you have, as upon how much you can do without.
American writer, critic, and naturalist (1893-1970)
Both the cockroach and the bird would get along very well without us, although the cockroach would miss us most.
American writer, critic, and naturalist (1893-1970)
Happiness is itself a kind of gratitude.
American writer, critic, and naturalist (1893-1970)