There could be no honor in a sure success, but much might be wrested from a sure defeat.
—T. E. Lawrence (1888–1935) British Soldier, Scholar, Writer
Many things grow in the garden that were never sown there.
—Thomas Fuller (1608–61) English Cleric, Historian
Bread feeds the body, indeed, but flowers feed also the soul.
—The Holy Quran Sacred Scripture of Islam
Let us be grateful to people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.
—Marcel Proust (1871–1922) French Novelist
Gardening gives one back a sense of proportion about everything – except itself.
—May Sarton (1912–95) American Children’s Books Writer, Poet, Novelist
He who is born with a silver spoon in his mouth is generally considered a fortunate person, but his good fortune is small compared to that of the happy mortal who enters this world with a passion for flowers in his soul.
—Celia Thaxter (1835–94) American Poet, Writer
Unemployment is capitalism’s way of getting you to plant a garden.
—Orson Scott Card (b.1951) American Author, Critic, Political Activist
Whoever acquires knowledge but does not practice it is as one who ploughs but does not sow.
—Sa’Di (Musharrif Od-Din Muslih Od-Din) (1184–1283) Persian Poet
I never had any other desire so strong, and so like to covetousness, as that one which I have had always, that I might be master at last of a small house and a large Garden.
—Abraham Cowley (1618–67) English Poet, Essayist
Flowers leave their fragrance on the hand that bestows them.
—Chinese Proverb
With a few flowers in my garden, half a dozen pictures and some books, I live without envy.
—Lope de Vega (1562–1635) Spanish Playwright, Poet
A garden is the best alternative therapy.
—Germaine Greer (b.1939) Australia Academic, Journalist, Scholar, Writer
A garden is a delight to the eye and a solace for the soul.
—Sa’Di (Musharrif Od-Din Muslih Od-Din) (1184–1283) Persian Poet
Hoeing in the garden on a bright, soft May day, when you are not obligated to, is nearly equal to the delight of going trouting.
—Charles Dudley Warner (1829–1900) American Essayist, Novelist
If you truly love Nature, you will find beauty everywhere.
—Vincent van Gogh (1853–90) Dutch Painter
April comes like an idiot, babbling and strewing flowers.
—Edna St. Vincent Millay (1892–1950) American Poet, Playwright, Feminist
Art is the unceasing effort to compete with the beauty of flowers and never succeeding.
—Marc Chagall (1889–1985) Russian-born French Painter, Graphic Artist
In the hope of reaching the moon men fail to see the flowers that blossom at their feet.
—Albert Schweitzer (1875–1965) French Theologian, Musician, Philosopher, Physician
I am fully and intensely aware that plants are conscious of love and respond to it as they do to nothing else.
—Celia Thaxter (1835–94) American Poet, Writer
A garden is always a series of losses set against a few triumphs, like life itself.
—May Sarton (1912–95) American Children’s Books Writer, Poet, Novelist
The trouble with gardening is that it does not remain an avocation. It becomes an obsession.
—Phyllis McGinley (1905–78) American Children’s Books Writer, Poet, Writer of Children’s Books
Plant trees. They give us two of the most crucial elements for our survival: oxygen and books.
—A. Whitney Brown (b.1952) American Comedian, TV Personality
What a man needs in gardening is a cast-iron back, with a hinge in it.
—Charles Dudley Warner (1829–1900) American Essayist, Novelist
It is a golden maxim to cultivate the garden for the nose, and the eyes will take care of themselves.
—Robert Louis Stevenson (1850–94) Scottish Novelist
A flower is an educated weed.
—Luther Burbank (1849–1926) American Botanist, Scientist
Nothing is more beautiful than the loveliness of the woods before sunrise.
—George Washington Carver (1864–1943) American Scientist, Botanist, Educator, Inventor