Hal Borland, whose full name was Harold Glen Borland, was born on April 14, 1900, in Sterling, Colorado, USA. He was a celebrated American author, journalist, and naturalist, best known for his insightful writings on nature and human life. Throughout his career, Borland contributed to The New York Times with his popular “outdoor editorials” and authored over 20 books, including “This Hill, This Valley” and “The Seventh Winter.” His work earned him recognition for blending keen observations of the natural world with profound philosophical reflections, influencing readers to find deeper meaning in everyday experiences. Borland’s quotes, often drawn from his books and newspaper columns, reveal a wisdom rooted in simplicity and the rhythms of nature. In this list, we explore 15 of his quotes about life, sourced from his writings, offering timeless insights.
15 Hal Borland Quotes
1. “Knowing trees, I understand the meaning of patience. Knowing grass, I can appreciate persistence.” (Book, “This Hill, This Valley,” 1957)
2. “No winter lasts forever; no spring skips its turn.” (Book, “The Seventh Winter,” 1967)
3. “Year’s end is neither an end nor a beginning but a going on, with all the wisdom that experience can instill in us.” (New York Times column, 1965)
4. “Life is a series of natural and spontaneous changes. Don’t resist them—that only creates sorrow.” (Book, “This Hill, This Valley,” 1957)
5. “You can’t be suspicious of a tree or accuse a squirrel of subversion.” (Book, “The Seventh Winter,” 1967)
6. “The ultimate wisdom which deals with beginnings remains locked in a seed.” (Book, “American Year,” 1971)
7. “In every outthrust headland, in every curving beach, in every grain of sand, there is the story of the earth.” (Book, “This Hill, This Valley,” 1957)
8. “Man is wise and constantly in quest of more wisdom; but the ultimate wisdom, which deals with beginnings, remains locked in a seed.” (New York Times column, 1970)
9. “A woodland in full color is awesome as a forest fire, in calm instead of roar.” (Book, “The Seventh Winter,” 1967)
10. “There are no limits to growth because there are no limits of human intelligence, imagination, and wonder.” (Book, “American Year,” 1971)
11. “The earth is what we all have in common.” (New York Times column, 1968)
12. “Life is not a matter of holding good cards, but of playing a poor hand well.” (Book, “This Hill, This Valley,” 1957)
13. “Each day is a new beginning, a fresh start, a chance to rewrite the script of our lives.” (New York Times column, 1972)
14. “In the end, it’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years.” (Book, “The Seventh Winter,” 1967)
15. “We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children.” (New York Times column, 1975)
These quotes from Hal Borland reflect his deep reverence for nature as a mirror to life’s enduring truths, emphasizing themes of patience, resilience, and interconnectedness. They reveal a man who saw wisdom in the simple cycles of the world, encouraging us to live with awareness and humility. Borland’s words remind us that life’s beauty lies in its continuity and change. What insights have Borland’s quotes brought to your life? Share your thoughts and favorite quotes in the comments below.