Our favourite sayings

Here at Wood Learn Forest School, when we're not out in the forest doing lots of exciting things, we do a lot of thinking and we thought we'd share with you some of the wise words from great people which sum up the ethos of our organisation.

"The question is not what we get out of nature, but, what can we give back to nature?" ~ Ray Mears

"The value of life lies not in its length, but in the use we make of it." ~ Michel de Montaigne

"It only needs a little courage to fulfil wishes which have previously been regarded as unattainable." ~ Sigmund Freud

"It is only those who do nothing that make no mistakes." ~ Joseph Conrad

"There is only one good, knowledge; there is only one evil, ignorance." ~ Socrates

"Whatever crushes individuality is despotism." ~ John Stuart Mill

"I would rather be terrified occasionally than supervised continually." ~ Walter Kirn

"My country is the world, and my religion is to do good." ~ Thomas Paine

"There can be no true beauty without decay." ~ Uncle Monty (Withnail and I)

"If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader." ~ John Quincy Adams

"After a whole day in the woods, we are already mortal." ~ John Muir

"This is the best school day out ever!" - Quinten, 7

A traditional poem never goes amiss either, and this one shares a few good tips for those building a campfire:

Beech wood fires are bright and clear, if the logs are kept a year.

Chestnut's only good, they say, if for long 'tis laid away.

But ash new or ash old is fit for queen with crown of gold.

Birch and fir logs burn too fast, blaze up bright and do not last.

It is, by the Irish said, hawthorn bakes the sweetest bread.

Elm wood burns like church yard mould, e'en the very flames are cold.

But ash green or ash brown is fit for queen with golden crown.

Poplar gives a bitter smoke, fills your eyes and makes you choke.

Apple wood will scent your room, with an incense like perfume.

Oaken logs, if dry and old, keep away the winter's cold.

But ash wet or ash dry, a king shall warm his slippers by.

Anon - old English