22 Quotes by John Audubon
- To have been torn from the study would have been as death; my time was entirely occupied with art.
- Mathematics was hard, dull work. Geography pleased me more. For dancing I was quite enthusiastic.
- My drawings at first were made altogether in watercolors, but they wanted softness and a great deal of finish.
- In my deepest troubles, I frequently would wrench myself from the persons around me and retire to some secluded part of our noble forests.
- On the 17th of May, the Delos put out to sea. I was immediately affected with sea-sickness, which, however, lasted but a short time. I remained on deck constantly, forcing myself to exercise.
- One day I caught four Dolphins, how much I have gazed at these beautiful creatures... as they changed their hue in twenty varieties of richest arrangement of tints.
- The mercantile business did not suit me.
- To be a good draftsman was to me a blessing.
- I can scarcely manage to scribble a tolerable English letter. I know that I am not a scholar, but meantime I am aware that no man living knows better than I do the habits of our birds.
- Would it be possible that I should not in any degree succeed? I can scarcely think so. Ah delusive hope, how much further wilt thou lead me?
- The worse my drawings were, the more beautiful did the originals appear.
- As I grew up I was fervently desirous of becoming acquainted with Nature.
- I waged war against my feelings.
- A true conservationist is a man who knows that the world is not given by his fathers, but borrowed from his children.
- Almost every day, instead of going to school, I made for the fields, where I spent my day.
- Because my father was often absent on naval duty, my mother suffered me to do much as I pleased.
- But hopes are Shy Birds flying at a great distance seldom reached by the best of Guns.
- Duruing all these years there existed within me a tendency to follow Nature in her walks.
- How could I make a little book, when I have seen enough to make a dozen large books?
- Hunting, fishing, drawing, and music occupied my every moment. Cares I knew not, and cared naught about them.
- I never for a day gave up listening to the songs of our birds, or watching their peculiar habits, or delineating them in the best way I could.
- After all, I long to be in America again, nay, if I can go home to return no more to Europe, it seems to me that I shall ever enjoy more peace of mind, and even Physical comfort than I can meet with in any portion of the world beside.
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