The Swiss Family Robinson quotes

but if he sees fit that we should not be saved, we must not murmur at his decree, but rely that what he does is most for our good; that we shall be near him in heaven, and united through eternity.

Death may be well supported when it does not separate those who love.

My excellent wife wiped the tears which were falling on her cheeks, and from this moment became more tranquil; she encouraged the youngest children, who were leaning on her knees;

several leaks appeared, and the ship began to fill. The sailors forbore from swearing, and were now employed in prayers, or in making the absurdest vows as the condition of their release from danger.

Each recommended his soul to God, but at the same moment thought of contriving the best means for preserving his life.

My children, said I to my four boys who clung to me in terrible alarm, God can save us, for nothing is impossible to him;

Observe our companions, in whom we had so much confidence, have deserted us without mercy, and that Divine Providence has given us protection! But, my dear ones, we must now trust to our own exertions.

Let us be willing to help ourselves, and we shall obtain support from Heaven.

Let us never forget this useful maxim, and let each labour according to his strength. Now let us see what in our situation it is best to set about next.

Why did we not think of them?—

Because, my dear, one cannot think of everything at once.

We shall be lucky if we do not discover that we have forgotten even more important things.

Say no more, my dearest father, interrupted Fritz in a tone of horror.—Happy am I to recollect on this occasion, resumed I, that they were animals, and not human creatures, you treated thus.

But an angry person never reasons; he scarcely knows whom he attacks.

The most convincing proof of this, is, that you just now fell upon two dumb animals incapable of judgement, and who most likely thought that your agouti was placed there, as the soup had been before, for them to eat.

So be it, my son.

A little tincture of enchantment is the lot of man.

When he finds himself deficient in intelligence, or is too indolent to give himself the trouble to reflect, he is driven by his weakness to ascribe to a miracle, or to witchcraft, what is, most likely, nothing but the most ordinary operation of art or …

Well, father, I will then believe in what you tell me of these rinds.

That is, you will cut the matter short, by resolving to swear on the word of another; this is an excellent method for letting your own reason lie fallow.

Come, come, no such idleness; let me help you to understand this amazing phenomenon. When it is intended to dress food in one of these rinds, the process is, to cut the fruit into two equal parts, and scoop out the whole of the inside;

and also, that such of the savages as have no knives, and who make a sort of twine from the bark of trees, are accustomed to use it for this kind of purpose.

So you see what benefit may be derived from reading, and from afterwards reflecting on what we read.

And the flasks, father; in what manner are they made?

But I am thinking that they may serve till I have learned to improve upon my first attempt, and I am quite sure of the pleasure they will afford my mother.

I imagine it pleases God sometimes to visit his creatures with distress, that they may learn to be satisfied with a little.

That is an excellent remark, my boy, said I, and gives me more pleasure than a hundred crowns would do. Fritz burst into a fit of laughter.

But as it is, my son, you have a right to be proud. I am well pleased to find you are beginning to estimate things according to their real value and usefulness, instead of considering them as good or bad, like children, upon feeble views.

Money is only a means of exchange in human society; but here on this solitary coast, nature is more generous than man, and asks no payment for the benefits she bestows.

While these different conversations and our labours had been going on, we had not neglected the great object of our pursuit—the making every practicable search for our ship-companions. But all, alas, was in vain.

But I was so thirsty, and the sap was so delicious!

Your excuse is like that of the drunkard, who tells you he drinks immoderately because he is thirsty, and because wine has a pleasant flavour; while, however good the excuse, it does not protect the person from being deprived of his reason.

Well, father, I will observe. But I will take home a good provision of sugarcanes, however. I shall only just taste of them once or twice as I walk along.

Take you one, also; the rest we will bind together and put at your back, hanging them upon the barrel of your gun, by which means you will carry them with ease.

In such a situation as ours we must learn to call forth all our intelligence; reflection and the faculty of invention must be made to compensate our want of means.

While we were conversing and proceeding on our way, Fritz perceived that from time to time I sucked the end of my sugarcane, and he would needs do the same. It was in vain, however, that he tried;

but if you judge it to be of absolute necessity, it appears to me that it cannot be undertaken too soon. In the meanwhile, nothing that is immediately under my own care shall stand still, I promise you.

Let us not be over anxious about the morrow; sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

These were the words of the great and true friend of mankind, and let us use so wise a counsel for our own benefit.

We employed the rest of the day in emptying the tubs of the useless ballast of stone, and putting in their place what would be of service, such as nails, pieces of cloth, and different kinds of utensils, etc. etc.

The Vandals themselves could not have made a more complete pillage than we had done.

The prospect we seemed to have of an entire solitude, made us devote our principal attention to the securing as much powder and shot as might fall in our way, that we might thus secure the means of catching animals for food, and of defending …

But, mother, how could I possibly suppose that the bird could fly away in less than the twinkling of an eye? Ah, if one would but come at this very moment!

A good sportsman, Ernest, always holds himself in readiness, this being, as I understand, the great art of a sportsman; for you must know, that birds never send messages to give notice of their coming.

I wish I could but know, said Jack, what bird it was; I never saw any the least like it.

Upon my word, my love, the shade of your giant trees has inspired you with a most powerful eloquence; and

I perceive that nothing so effectually animates the language of a female, as an ardent desire and a fixed determination to carry a particular point

; I see that the affair will end by my submitting to your will. You are, as you ought to be, the director of our plans;

and I will carefully attend to your suggestion. We will keep on hand only a sufficient quantity for daily use; I will contrive a place in the rock for the rest, where it will be safe from the chance of fire or dampness.

It is an article which, according to the use which is made of it, may become on the one hand, a most dangerous enemy, and, on the other, a most useful friend.

Thus, then, we decided the important question of removing to a new abode; after which we fixed in concert upon a plan of labour for the day, and then awaked the boys. Their ecstasy on hearing of our project may easily be conceived;

There is also my enchanted bag, which I recommend to your particular care, said she, smiling, for who can tell what may yet pop out of it for your good pleasure!

Women, for their part, never fail to have more things to carry than there are places to put them in, said I, also laughing

: however, let us see how handsomely I shall be able to provide for what belongs to you, my love.

He cannot be so terrible an animal, said Ernest, if it was so easy for a mere child to destroy him. A mere child! replied Jack, much mortified, and drawing up his head.

It was plain that his conquest had added half a foot to his height, in his own imagination.

While the boys were disputing, my wife and I had hastened to relieve the dogs, by drawing out the quills and examining their wounds. Having done this, we joined the group which surrounded the porcupine;

Father.—This account is, I believe, in a great measure untrue; but it is not improbable that it was such an occurrence as we just now met with, which first gave rise to the notion.

An observation no less singular than true, has been made, that natural history, whose basis ought to be the strictest truth, has given birth to more fables than mythology itself.

In general, mankind are fond of the marvellous, and the composed march of nature is uninteresting to them, from its simple uniformity. They accordingly dress her with all the singularities and extravagancies of their own imaginations.

It is not amiss, in such a situation as ours, to exercise ourselves in all kinds of trades and manual labour, and to do everything with the utmost care, and in the best manner possible.

Man, the lord of the creation, should always aim at perfection.

Go, then, boy, and put away its bloody head, and we will see how to set about preparing the skin.

My young ones were already cased in theirs, and we were soon greeted with their murmurs at being obliged to lie so close to each other, that they could not move their limbs.

Ah, gentlemen, cried I, you must try to be contented; no sailor is ever better accommodated than you are now, and you must not expect beds to drop from the clouds on your behalf!

I then directed them how to put themselves in a more convenient posture, and to swing their hammock gently to and fro. And see, added I, if sleep will not visit you as soon in a hammock, as on a bed of down.

Yes, yes, I understand, said Jack wagging his head knowingly; I know how to do it very well, father.

But will you be kind enough to tell me where there is a glue-shop, that I may step and buy some glue in a minute?

I will show you where, said little Francis, laughing as he spoke: ask mamma to give you one of her soup cakes, which are exactly like good strong glue.

Father.—Not so much of a blockhead as you think, Jack, interrupted I.

The truth often comes from the lips of children, and you will do well to follow his advice.

I am of opinion, that one of the cakes, dissolved in a little water, and afterwards thickened upon the fire, would produce what would be an excellent substitute for glue; give yourself therefore the trouble of making the experiment.

My Wife.—I too vote for Tent-House; my butter is nearly gone, for Fritz took an unreasonable share for his new trade of tanning; also,

I have never failed to observe, that those who most zealously preach a life of frugality and economy, are at least as well satisfied as the rest, when I take care to present them with an excellent and well dressed dinner.

Ernest.—If we go to Tent-House, let us try to bring away some of the geese and ducks with us: they will look very well swimming about in our stream here, by Falcon’s Nest.

The pineapples are better than all the rest, said they, even than the potatoes. What is a handsome-looking tree worth, if it does not bear any fruit?

Your most devoted humble servant, Mr. Karata, but pineapples for us!

Little gluttons! cried I, half angry, your preference is as senseless as that of a man who prefers a woman with a handsome face, to one possessed of those valuable and lasting virtues which soothe the cares of human life.

Fritz.—

I see clearly, father, that we ought not to trust to appearances; it is the same with this tree as with mankind; the most merit is often found in an individual that was least supposed to possess it

: but I believe it would be difficult to find any good qualities in the prickly plants which are growing here in all directions, and wounding the persons who go near them: of what use can they possibly be?

Father.—

Your question is one of those which have occupied the attention of philosophers for two thousand years.

It would therefore be too tedious to discuss at this moment; I will, however, endeavour to make my answer such, as to be of use to you, in the science of logic, or the art of reasoning. Let us see, if you will understand it.

Father.—

Ha, ha, ha! here is a pretty round of possible and impossible.

It is false, because no such thing can be done, and no such thing can be done, because it is not possible. Presently you will tell me that it is impossible because it is false. Try again, my lads, we must have some better reasons.

Father.—Your observation is perfectly just, and I hope you will not fail to profit by it.

With the aid of his intelligence, and his reason, there is scarcely anything which man cannot attain to.

But to return to our example: you will find in it the definition of the words which you ask me about: it is false, that man of himself can fly;

so that even the little information in my power to give them, may be of use.

I have never had occasion to regret that I knew so much, but often that I knew too little

, particularly in our present situation, where no other master can be obtained for them than myself and nature.

there are occasions which require instant resolution, and cannot admit of a moment for reflection.

He who, in a moment of alarm, of danger, or distress, preserves his presence of mind and decides instantly, has a great advantage over him who waits to calculate every possibility before he begins to act.

This presence of mind, joined to great wisdom, is a quality of inestimable value, and it may be acquired by cultivating a habit of cool reflection and inquiry, as to how we should act under such or such a circumstance.

During this conversation, I was busily employed upon my sledge, which was soon completed; and

I found that necessity had converted a preacher of moderate talents into a tolerably good carpenter.

Two bent pieces of wood, the segments of a circle, formed the outline of my machine, which I fixed in their places, by a straight piece of wood, placed across, and firmly fixed to the bent pieces in the middle, and at the rear.

Father.—Since your idle fit has rendered you inventive, I forgive it with all my heart; but is it not a pity to lose in sleeping the opportunity of doing something useful? Did you not promise your mother to carry her some salt?

Slothfulness is always a fault, where labour is a necessity.

Ernest.—But, father, my head was not idle, I assure you. I was planning something all the time.

Ernest.—

No, father, no great things; I fell asleep in the middle of my reflections.

Father.—So, this is the hard work your poor head was engaged in!—Discovering a difficulty, and finding no means for conquering it!

Father.—

I rejoice, because I love my son better than myself, and take a more lively interest in his pleasure, and in any little cause of exultation he may have, than if the occasion were more immediately connected with myself.

—Ernest, affected by my remark, ran to embrace me. How truly I recognise in this assurance the kind temper of my ever indulgent father! cried he.—Your gratitude but increases my satisfaction, added I, embracing him in my turn;

Some praise is also due to Ernest, for the moderation with which he has felt his triumph, in so extraordinary an occurrence; for he has not even told you of my humiliating failure in attempting to shoot the kangaroo.

To triumph over our passions, and to have on all occasions a perfect government of our temper, is an acquisition of infinitely more value, than the showing a certain skill in firing off a gun, and killing an innocent animal.

We happen, in our situation, to be forced upon the cultivation of such arts as these; but though we may practise them as necessary for our existence, we have no reason to be proud of them.

For the love of God, exclaimed she, what has happened? Are the dogs run mad, or have you lost your senses?—

Nothing of the kind, I answered; I was only giving our dogs a short sermon on temperance and the necessity of self-control.

—Then better it would be to enforce your precepts by example, to begin by subduing anger, and not by exercising your vengeance on poor faithful animals, who are innocent, and unconscious of the mischief they are doing.

… short sermon on temperance and the necessity of self-control.—Then better it would be to enforce your precepts by example, to begin by subduing anger, and not by exercising your vengeance on poor faithful animals, who are innocent, and unconscious of the mischief they are doing.

Kindhearted creature, said I: it is well known to me how glad you would be if there were no sticks in the world!

But I assure you I did not beat Turk and Ponto through anger or revenge, but from prudence and precaution; and be persuaded I have not hurt them much:

As we walked along, Fritz asked me if this handsome shell was of the kind so much valued in Europe for making into boxes, combs, etc.? and if it was not a pity to use it for a water-tub?

I replied, that in our deserted situation the utility of a thing formed its greatest, and indeed only value.

According to this way of reasoning then, were your water-tub of diamonds, it would be of no more worth to us than the rudest stone, if in such a form as to be able to contain water.

Is it possible, dear boy, said I to him, that at your age you allow even little Francis to get the start of you?

Oh! father, answered he, it is so delightful to lose oneself again after having been awakened! one feels sleep come on afresh so gently, ideas vanish so agreeably!

I should be glad to be awakened thus every morning, that I might have the pleasure of falling into a new slumber.

A man, though not like us, in a desert, is bound to provide for his existence, and avoid being a burden to society; he should do what is right with courage and promptness, without consulting convenience or pleasure.

He who indulges himself in all that flatters his senses, will end by falling a victim to them.

Nature produces, too, certain poisons, which are grateful to the palate; yet the persons who unguardedly taste them, fail not to suffer the death they conceal.

Father.—Hah, hah! What is then become of our terrible fear of being poisoned, which made you even throw your grater from you?

Ah, I see how it is; the passion of gluttony is stronger than your fear.

—However, I certainly believe that in this case it might be gratified without doing you an injury;

Round each bed or plot I have sowed seeds of maize, on account of its tall and bushy form, to serve as a border, which at the same time will protect my young plants from the scorching heat of the sun.

I stood transported in the midst of so perfect an exhibition of the kind zeal and persevering industry of this most amiable of women!

I could only exclaim, that I should never have believed in the possibility of such a labour in so short a time, and particularly with so much privacy as to leave me wholly unsuspicious of the existence of such a project.

for I had an extreme solicitude about their preserving and increasing their bodily strength and agility, which in a situation like ours, might prove of such critical importance.

Nothing tends more to the extinction of personal courage in a human being, than the consciousness of wanting that strength of limb, or that address, which may be necessary to aid us in defending ourselves, or in escaping from dangers.

On this occasion, I added the exercises of running, jumping, getting up trees, both by means of climbing by the trunk, or by a suspended rope, as sailors are obliged to do to get to the masthead.

Jack, without a moment’s hesitation, threw his coat upon the creature, and wrapped him round in it; then tapping on the outside upon his shell:

Wicked magician, cried he, I have you at last! I will teach you to brandish your horns another time.

I laughed so heartily at this scene, that I had not the power to give him any assistance. I saw by the motion under the coat that the crab was still alert and angry.

Father.—

Use makes all things easy. Many ugly things find their way to the most delicately served tables.

For our crab, it is the favourite food of the negro slaves of the Antilles, and frequently of their masters also. I should think its flesh must be hard and indigestible; but we will make trial of it for dinner.

I must confess, the interest I took in the scene was of so lively a nature, that I could not refrain from reproaching Fritz in an angry tone.

Why, said I, must we be always applying the means of death and annihilation to the creatures that fall in our way?

Is not nature a thousand times more exhilarating in her animated movements, which express life and enjoyment, than in the selfish scheme of destruction you seem so fond of?

Why, said I, must we be always applying the means of death and annihilation to the creatures that fall in our way?

Is not nature a thousand times more exhilarating in her animated movements, which express life and enjoyment, than in the selfish scheme of destruction you seem so fond of?

Some allowance should no doubt be made for the curiosity of youth, for necessities caused by our situation, and even for the taste you have acquired for sporting;

among them may be supposed the deficiency of females or of males; the charge of the young; providing them with food; or as a means for their safety and protection.

Who shall dare to fix limits to the instinct, or to the faculties of the animal creation?

Fritz.—I do not, however, recollect any kind of animals who live thus together in society, except the bees.

but the continual exercise of mind and body they imposed, visibly contributed to the physical and moral health of the boys, and to the support of cheerfulness and serenity in ourselves.

The more we embellished our abode by the work of our own hands, the more it became dear to our hearts.

The constant and strict observance of the sabbath-day afforded such an interval of rest, as could not fail to restore our strength; and inspire us with the desire of new exertions.

… announced that the ship, so awfully concerned with our peculiar destiny, which had brought us to our present abode in a desert, and furnished us there with such vast supplies for general comfort, was that instant annihilated, and withdrawn forever from the face of man!—

At this moment, love for the country that gave us birth, that most powerful sentiment of the human heart, sunk with a new force into ours.

The ship had disappeared forever! Could we then form a hope ever to behold that country more! We had made a sort of jubilee of witnessing the spectacle; the boys had clapped their hands and skipped about in joyful expectation;

… there with such vast supplies for general comfort, was that instant annihilated, and withdrawn forever from the face of man!—At this moment, love for the country that gave us birth, that most powerful sentiment of the human heart, sunk with a new force into ours.

The ship had disappeared forever! Could we then form a hope ever to behold that country more!

We had made a sort of jubilee of witnessing the spectacle; the boys had clapped their hands and skipped about in joyful expectation;

exclaimed Fritz: Ah, ah! Master Ernest, so you would make us believe that cabbages grow on palm trees, and that we are in a land of wonders!

In a land of wonders, my son, we can never fail to be, in whatever place we may abide, for the whole scheme of nature is a perpetual tissue of wonders proceeding from the hand of a beneficent Creator; and those we now behold appear to us extraordinary, only because we view them for the first time.

Examine this production, to which the name of palm-cabbage has been given by naturalists; it has not the shape of our European cabbage; but, as Ernest tells you, it is a most delicious and refreshing food:

To him we are indebted for the most useful of the discoveries which have been made—the potatoes and the manioc: if, instead of envying each other, you were to unite your various endowments, what happiness and what success might be the result!

Ernest would think for you, you would execute for him; thus, all would share in the advantages which would result from this spirit of concord, so necessary among mankind, but particularly among brothers.

Let me also recommend to you to accustom yourselves to suspend your judgement on the actions of another, till those actions are complete and you are quite sure both of their object and effect.

To the left, a chain of gently rising hills, the long green verdure of which was tinged with blue, stretched as far as the eye could discern, and were interspersed at agreeable distances with little woods of palm trees of every kind.

The river we had crossed flowed in a serpentine course through this exquisite valley, presenting the idea of a broad floating silver ribbon, while its banks were adorned with reeds and various aquatic plants.

I could with difficulty take my eyes from this enchanting spectacle, and I seated myself on the ground to contemplate and enjoy it at my leisure.

Francis.—Oh! yes, papa, I intreat you, macaroni! it is so nice, I will assist in making that.

Little glutton! answered I, you would, I imagine, rather assist in eating up all we can make.

I do not however promise that our manufactory will produce such good and well made articles as those of Genoa and Naples;

It is in general a law of nature, that care and attentive management produce in the same species a more considerable number of shades and varieties, than is met with in the wild uncultivated state, in which much sameness prevails throughout.

Man in the rude state of nature is nearly alike everywhere, and is destitute of those diversities of character that naturally unfold themselves in his civilized condition.

Every class of animals and plants, which man renders subservient to his use by cultivation and due care, exhibits beyond comparison greater differences in the same species, more varieties, more families, than those which remain in their native state, remote from and unaided by his …

My lads were soon expert horsemen; and their horse, though rather long-eared, was very handsome and well broken in.

Thus patience on our parts conquered a serious difficulty, and gained for us a proud advantage.

In the name of goodness, said my wife to me one evening, after one of our first essays, where did you learn this strange notion of biting the animal’s ear? I learned it, replied I, from a horse-breaker whom I fell in with by chance:

I applauded Ernest’s attention to both, and I encouraged him and Fritz to be thus ever considerate for the absent, so as to prove they could never be forgotten.

The kindnesses conferred on those who are separated from us have in themselves more merit, and are more valued, than those which are personally received.

It was now time to think of moving homeward: my two sons filled the bags with acorns and put them on Lightfoot; Fritz mounted, Ernest carried the eggs, I took charge of the hen, and we proceeded to Falcon’s Stream followed by our train-wagon.

Little Francis said to his brothers in a whisper, that it was certainly the palace of some good fairy, who would come with her wand and grant them everything they wished for, if they were good.

Well then, said Jack, I ask her to make you a little wiser and less credulous; don’t you hear father say all these diamonds are only salt? and how often has he told you that God alone does wonders?

The dear child said no more, but shook his pretty fair locks as if he gave up his enchanted palace with some reluctance; and to say the truth, his notion did not surprise me.

see how they plunge into it, said he; were the water hot, as Fritz thinks, they would scald their feet and beaks. The latter had little to say in reply;

Well then, said he, tell us, Mr. Professor, what it is, instead of what it is not.

Ernest.—I am much disposed to think it is some huge sea-monster, a grampus or a whale that raises up its back sometimes like an isle, on which are a quantity of small fishes that offer an easy prey to the birds;

I directed my three eldest boys to kill a dozen of these large fishes with sticks and pickaxes instead of using powder, and they promptly began the attack.

It is remarkable that boys in general have a disposition for the destruction of animals, which by degrees leads them to view their sufferings with indifference.

I felt regret in being urged occasionally by circumstances to encourage this propensity;

Jack seized a piece also, to find out, as he said, what could be the reason of so marked a preference as the goats had shown.

Oh, it is indeed excellent, exclaimed he; and I perceive that goats are animals of taste!

Only try this little bit, brother Fritz, and tell us if it is not exactly like cinnamon? Fritz did as he was desired, and was of Jack’s opinion.