When the well is dry, we know the worth of water.
—Benjamin Franklin (1706–90) American Political Leader, Inventor, Diplomat
A strong person and a waterfall always channel their own path.
—Unknown
We think of our land and water and human resources not as static and sterile possessions but as life giving assets to be directed by wise provisions for future days.
—Franklin D. Roosevelt (1882–1945) American Head of State, Lawyer
Don’t empty the water jar until the rain falls.
—Philippine Proverb
Nothing on earth is so weak and yielding as water, but for breaking down the firm and strong it has no equal.
—Laozi (fl.6th Century BCE) Chinese Philosopher, Sage
Water is the mother of the vine, The nurse and fountain of fecundity, The adorner and refresher of the world.
—Charles Mackay (1814–89) Scottish Poet, Journalist, Songwriter
Water its living strength first shows, When obstacles its course oppose.
—Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749–1832) German Poet
Water is the one substance from which the earth can conceal nothing; it sucks out its innermost secrets and brings them to our very lips.
—Jean Giraudoux (1882–1944) French Novelist, Playwright, Essayist
The cure for anything is salt water – sweat, tears, or the sea.
—Karen Blixen (Isak Dinesen) (1885–1962) Danish Novelist, Short-story Writer
The miracle is not to walk on water. The miracle is to walk on the green earth in the present moment, to appreciate the peace and beauty that are available now.
—Thich Nhat Hanh (1926–2022) Vietnamese Buddhist Leader, Teacher, Peace Activist
Rivers are roads which move, and which carry us whither we desire to go.
—Blaise Pascal (1623–62) French Mathematician, Physicist, Theologian
Iron rusts from disuse; stagnant water loses its purity and in cold weather becomes frozen; even so does inaction sap the vigor of the mind.
—Leonardo da Vinci (1452–1519) Italian Polymath, Painter, Sculptor, Architect
Water flows humbly to the lowest level.
Nothing is weaker than water,
Yet for overcoming what is hard and strong,
Nothing surpasses it.
—Laozi (fl.6th Century BCE) Chinese Philosopher, Sage
The highest goodness is like water.
Water benefits all things and does not compete.
It stays in the lowly places which others despise.
Therefore it is near The Eternal.
—Laozi (fl.6th Century BCE) Chinese Philosopher, Sage
Plans to protect air and water, wilderness and wildlife are in fact plans to protect man.
—Stewart Udall (1920–2010) American Politician, Conservationist
Stones are hollowed out by the constant dropping of water.
—Ovid (Publius Ovidius Naso) (c.43 BCE–c.18 CE) Roman Poet
Never a ship sails out of the bay, but carries my heart as a stowaway.
—Roselle Mercier Montgomery (1874–1933) American Poet
We never know the worth of water ’til the well is dry.
—Thomas Fuller (1608–61) English Cleric, Historian
Why do we love the sea? It is because it has some potent power to make us think things we like to think.
—Robert Henri (1865–1929) American Painter, Teacher
Water is the most precious, limited natural resource we have in this country…But because water belongs to no one – except the people – special interests, including government polluters, use it as their private sewers.
—Ralph Nader (b.1934) American Lawyer, Consumer Activist
I hate to be near the sea, and to hear it roaring and raging like a wild beast in its den. It puts me in mind of the everlasting efforts of the human mind, struggling to be free, and ending just where it began.
—William Hazlitt (1778–1830) English Essayist
The highest good is like water. Water gives life to the ten thousand things and does not strive. It flows in places men reject and so is like the Tao.
—Laozi (fl.6th Century BCE) Chinese Philosopher, Sage
If you desire to dig a well to reach water, your efforts are more fruitful if you dig one 100-foot-deep hole than if you dig ten holes each 10 feet deep.
—Dan Millman (b.1946) American Children’s Books Writer, Sportsperson
Everything changes but change itself. Everything flows and nothing remains the same…You cannot step twice into the same river, for other waters and yet others go flowing ever on.
—Heraclitus (535BCE–475BCE) Ancient Greek Philosopher
By means of water, we give life to everything.
—The Holy Quran Sacred Scripture of Islam
The marsh, to him who enters it in a receptive mood, holds, besides mosquitoes and stagnation, melody, the mystery of unknown waters, and the sweetness of Nature undisturbed by man.
—William Beebe (1877–1962) American Biologist, Explorer
Praise the sea; on shore remain.
—John Florio (1553–1625) British Translator, Italian Scholar, Tutor
Water is life’s matter and matrix, mother and medium. There is no life without water.
—Albert Szent-Gyorgyi (1893–1986) Hungarian-American Biochemist
Most of us, I suppose, are a little nervous of the sea. No matter what its smiles may be, we doubt its friendship.
—H. M. Tomlinson (1873–1958) English Journalist, Novelist
A cheery relaxation is man’s natural state, just as nature itself is relaxed. A waterfall is concerned only with being itself, not with doing something it considers waterfall-like.
—Vernon Howard (1918–92) American Author, Philosopher
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