Life is a thing that mutates without warning, not always in enviable ways. All part of the improbable adventure of being alive, of being a brainy biped with giant dreams on a crazy blue planet.

—Diane Ackerman

About Diane Ackerman

Portrait of Diane Ackerman

Diane Ackerman (born October 7, 1948) is an American poet, essayist, and naturalist known for her books and films.

More quotations from Diane Ackerman

Caregiver: that word should weigh more than others on a page, sag it down a bit and wrinkle it, because the simple-sounding job frazzles as it consumes and depletes. Not that it's only gloomy. Caregiving offers many fringe benefits, including the sheer sensory delight of nourishing and grooming, sharing, and playing. There's something uniquely fulfilling about being a lodestar, feeling so deeply needed, and it's fun finding creative ways to gladden a loved one's life. But caregiving does buttonhole you; you're stitched in one place.

—Diane Ackerman

If there is anything in the world that can really be called a man's property, it is surely that which is the result of his mental activity.

—Diane Ackerman

One can live at a low flame. Most people do. For some, life is an exercise in moderation (best china saved for special occasions), but given something like death, what does it matter if one looks foolish now and then, or tries too hard, or cares too deeply?

—Diane Ackerman

Life goes on, having nowhere else to go.

—Diane Ackerman

life time progress

What is erotic? The acrobatic play of the imagination. The sea of memories in which we bathe. The way we caress and worship things with our eyes. Our willingness to be stirred by the sight of the voluptuous. What is erotic is our passion for the liveliness of life.

—Diane Ackerman

life imagination erotic worship passion

More quotations tagged with “life”

When we exercise self-control on a given occasion, we win for ourselves a little credibility we can rely on the next time around. Pretty soon we develop a reputation to ourselves that we want badly to uphold. With each test that we meet, our resolve gains momentum, fueled by the fear that we may succumb and establish a damaging precedent for our own weakness.

In matters of self-control as we shall see again and again, speed kills. But a little friction really can save lives.

—Dorothy Parker

Life is full of surprises and and serendipity. Being open to unexpected turns in the road is an important part of success. If you try to plan every step, you may miss those wonderful twists and turns. Just find your next adventure-do it well, enjoy it-and then, not now, think about what comes next.

—Condoleeza Rice

Man is born to live, not to prepare for life.

—Christopher Morley

You're alive. Do something. The directive in life, the moral imperative was so uncomplicated. It could be expressed in single words, not complete sentences. It sounded like this: Look. Listen. Choose. Act.

—Boris Pasternak

History

11 Jul 2015 Added