In the realm of Nature there is nothing purposeless, trivial, or unnecessary
Interpretation
Everything in nature has a purpose and significance.
Maimonides emphasizes that every element within the natural world plays a role, no matter how small it might seem. This perspective encourages a deeper appreciation for the complexity and interconnectedness of nature, suggesting that even the most mundane aspects have underlying importance and relevance.
In practice
During a talk about conservation, one could use this quote to emphasize the importance of every creature in an ecosystem.
If men possessed wisdom, which stands in the same relation to the form of man as the sight to the eye, they would not cause any injury to themselves or to others; for the knowledge of truth removes hatred and quarrels, and prevents mutual injuries.
There are eight rungs in charity. The highest is when you help a man to help himself.
God who preceded all existence is a refuge.
When man possesses a good, sound body that does not overpower him nor disturb the equilibrium in him, he possesses a divine gift. In short, a good constitution facilitates the rule of the soul over the body, but it is not impossible to conquer a bad constitution by training.
If the whole earth is infinitely small in comparison with the sphere of the stars, what is man compared with all these created beings!
One should see the world, and see himself as a scale with an equal balance of good and evil. When he does one good deed the scale is tipped to the good - he and the world is saved. When he does one evil deed the scale is tipped to the bad - he and the world is destroyed.
You cannot see the Grand Canyon in one view, as if it were a changeless spectacle from which a curtain might be lifted, but to see it you have to toil from month to month through its labyrinths.
Summer's lease hath all too short a date.
The spring came suddenly, bursting upon the world as a child bursts into a room, with a laugh and a shout and hands full of flowers.
Tree at my window, window tree, My sash is lowered when night comes on; But let there never be curtain drawn Between you and me.
When it came night, the white waves paced to and fro in the moonlight, and the wind brought the sound of the great sea's voice to the men on shore, and they felt that they could then be interpreters.
If we can't afford to take good care of the land that feeds us, we're in an insurmountable mess.
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