Kiwi

“In every outthrust headland, in every curving beach, in every grain of sand there is the story of the earth.”
― Rachel Carson

“Why should we tolerate a diet of weak poisons, a home in insipid surroundings, a circle of acquaintances who are not quite our enemies, the noise of motors with just enough relief to prevent insanity? Who would want to live in a world which is just not quite fatal?”
― Rachel Carson, Silent Spring

“Until we have the courage to recognize cruelty for what it is -- whether its victim is human or animal -- we cannot expect things to be much better in this world. We cannot have peace among men whose hearts delight in killing any living creature. By every act that glorifies or even tolerates such moronic delight in killing, we set back the progress of humanity.”
― Rachel Carson

“The reason may speak, and even through the lips, of hope and courage ; but the sensation of which I speak is peculiar ; so peculiarly connected with bodily agony, that I cannot but believe it felt wherever bodily agony is felt. It has nothing to do with the courage of the soul ; affords not the shadow of contradiction to patience, fortitude, religious trust, I mean simply that when extreme pain seizes on us, down go our spirits, fathoms deep ; and, though the soul may yet be submissive and even willing, the sickening question rises, — " How shall I bear this for five minutes? What will become of me?" And if the imagination stretches on to an hour, or hours, there is no word but despair which expresses the feeling. The bystanders can never fully understand this suffering ; no, though they may themselves have suffered to extremity.”
― Harriet Martineau, Life in the Sick Room - Essays