Ralph Waldo Emerson

Nature, an influential 1836 essay by Ralph Waldo Emerson, is a foundational text of American Transcendentalism, arguing for a deep, spiritual connection between humanity and the natural world, which he saw as a source of divine truth, inspiration, and self-discovery, advocating for individualism and intuition over conformity. It explores nature's uses (Commodity, Beauty, Language, Discipline) and its role as a mirror for the human soul, encouraging readers to find God and personal meaning in the outdoors. 

Nature

Grace McCarter

The health of the eye seems to demand a horizon. We are never tired, so long as we can see far enough.

A man is fed, not that he may be fed, but that he may work.

The long slender bars of cloud float like fishes in the sea of crimson light. From the earth, as a shore, I look out into that silent sea. I seem to partake its rapid transformations: the active enchantment reaches my dust, and I dilate and conspire with the morning wind.

invented “feeling sad? touch some grass”

Under the general name of Commodity, I rank all those advantages which our senses owe to nature. This, of course, is a benefit which is temporary and mediate, not ultimate, like its service to the soul. Yet although low, it is perfect in its kind, and is the only use of nature which all men apprehend. The misery of man appears like childish petulance, when we explore the steady and prodigal provision that has been made for his support and delight on this green ball which floats him through the heavens. What angels invented these splendid ornaments, these rich conveniences, this ocean of air above, this ocean of water beneath, this firmament of earth between? This zodiac of lights, this tent of dropping clouds, this striped coat of climates, this fourfold year? Beasts, fire, water, stones, and corn serve him. The field is at once his floor, his work-yard, his play-ground, his garden, and his bed. 

Dave | Storyphoria

While naturally flowery in language, given the time it was written, there are some beautiful and poignant thoughts expressed within. Thoughts that apply heavily to the state of the world today and speak to the need of man to turn to the wisdom and beauty of nature to remember our roots and values.

Courtney Gendreau

I didn't really get into this one. Was just a little dull

Naomi P

Reading this felt like I was thrown back to Philosophy class. It's not the kind of book that you would pick up for light reading and just get lost in the words. I had to reread paragraphs to be able to appreciate what Emerson wrote. Nature is indeed fascinating and beautiful. Humans don't deserve the gift that Nature brings.

Perhaps the most celebrated animal story of the 19th century "Black Beauty" is the suspenseful and deeply moving account of a horse s experiences at the hands of many owners some sensitive riders who treated him gently;"

Ilse

For some reason I found this one super tough to read. The writing style didn’t grab (nor hold) my attention at all and there were many sentences written in such a way I had to read them multiple times to grasp what they were trying to say. Moreover, while I don’t mind non-fiction at all, I just found this one painfully boring. So, while I do respect the general message this is trying to spread, the writing didn’t convey it to me in the slightest (I’ve more so taken it from the other reviews on this site tbh)

Joshua Line

Nora 

makenna!!! 

Chrystal Giordano

Steve Daniels

Marisa Petri

Ralph Emerson

Many of the earliest books, particularly those dating back to the 1900s and before, are now extremely scarce and increasingly expensive. Penguin is republishing Emerson's classic work in an affordable, high quality edition, using the original text and artwork.

mags

Nature, by Ralph Waldo Emerson is a fabulous philosophical interpretation of nature and how it influences man physically and spiritually. Emerson's writing is redolent with the wonder of the true romantic, but never sinks to the level of maudlin fluff.

Lulwa

Euodias

This is a reproduction of the original artefact. Generally these books are created from careful scans of the original. This allows us to preserve the book accurately and present it in the way the author intended. Since the original versions are generally quite old, there may occasionally be certain imperfections within these reproductions. We're happy to make these classics available again for future generations to enjoy!

Nature

Reviews

Highlights