The voice of the natural world would be, "Could you please give us space and leave us alone to get along with our own lives and our own ways, because we actually know much better how to do it then when you start interfering."
Just remember--if you are really and truly determined to work with animals, somehow, either now or later, you will find a way to do it. But you have to want it desperately, work hard, take advantage of an opportunity--and never give up.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Determination and hard work can lead to achieving your dreams, especially when it comes to working with animals.
This quote by Jane Goodall emphasizes the importance of genuine determination and dedication when pursuing a passion, particularly in the field of working with animals. It highlights that achieving one's dreams may require not only a strong desire but also relentless effort, making the most of opportunities and maintaining resilience in the face of challenges. Goodall underscores that success comes to those who are not only passionate but are also willing to work hard and remain persistent.
Themes
In practice
Example use cases
In a graduation speech to inspire students pursuing animal care careers.
More from Jane Goodall
All quotes →We can't leave people in abject poverty, so we need to raise the standard of living for 80% of the world's people, while bringing it down considerably for the 20% who are destroying our natural resources.
I was born in London in England in 1934. I went through, as a child, the horrors of World War II, through a time when food was rationed and we learned to be very careful, and we never had more to eat than what we needed to eat. There was no waste. Everything was used.
Chimpanzees, gorillas, orangutan shave been living for hundreds of thousands of years in their forest,living fantastic lives, never overpopulating, never destroying the forest. I would say that they have been in a way more successful than us as far as being in harmony with the environment.
There are an awful lot of scientists today who believe that before very long we shall have unraveled all the secrets of the universe. There will be no puzzles anymore. To me, it'd be really, really tragic because I think one of the most exciting things is this feeling of mystery, feeling of awe, the feeling of looking at a little live thing and being amazed by it and how it has emerged through these hundreds of years of evolution and there it is and it is perfect and why.
In what terms should we think of these beings, nonhuman yet possessing so very many human-like characteristics? How should we treat them? Surely we should treat them with the same consideration and kindness as we show to other humans; and as we recognize human rights, so too should we recognize the rights of the great apes? Yes.
Similar quotes
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Eat your words! Eat your words! I am the greatest.
Busyness is not a reason for not getting other things done. It is an excuse for not claiming your true priorities.
Do it first and feel about it afterwards.' - Dagny Taggart