Our favourite quotes from the great David Attenborough
14 top David Attenborough quotes of all time
Beloved by millions around the world, Sir David Attenborough is an inspirational broadcaster, presenter and conservationist. Here are some of his most memorable quotes—words that resonate with wisdom, passion, and a deep respect for all living things.
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Presenter, naturalist and author Chris Packham has described him as his main inspiration: “David tells stories so that they become irresistible to us. We want to know what happens. We care because we trust him, he is an expert and he is so very passionate.”
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Marvelling at the wonders of nature or urging us to take action for its preservation, Attenborough’s voice continues to remind us of our responsibility to the Earth and its inhabitants.
Best David Attenborough quotes
When people ask me, ‘How did you get interested in animals?’ I reply, ‘How on Earth did you lose your interest in animals?’
BBC Wildlife Magazine, February 2008
I collected butterflies – how else was I know the difference between them? Collecting things is the very basis of taxonomy, and taxonomy is the very basis of zoology. You don’t know what you’re talking about unless you can identify things.
BBC Wildlife Magazine, February 2008
We need to work with nature, not against it.
From the five-part documentary series The Earthshot Prize: Repairing Our Planet.
An understanding of the natural world, and what’s in it as a source of not only great curiosity but great fulfilment.
The final chapter is ours to write. We know what we need to do. What happens next is up to us.
The question is, are we happy to suppose that our grandchild may never be able to see an elephant except in a picture book
The fact is that no species has ever had such wholesale control over everything on Earth, living or dead, as we now have. That lays upon us, whether we like it or not, an awesome responsibility. In our hands now lies not only our own future, but that of all other living creatures with whom we share the Earth.
From the documentary series, Life On Earth.
It’s surely our responsibility to do everything within our power to create a planet that provides a home not just for us, but for all life on Earth.
As a species, we are expert problem solvers. But we haven’t yet applied ourselves to this problem with the focus it requires.
“This is now our planet, run by humankind for humankind. There is little left for the rest of the living world.”
From ‘A Life on Our Planet’ 2020
We only know a tiny proportion about the complexity of the natural world. Wherever you look, there are still things we don’t know about and don’t understand. There are always new things to find out if you go looking for them.”
There is no reason to suppose that our stay here will be any more permanent than that of the dinosaur.
I would give my right arm – well, maybe my left – for a giant squid filmed in the depths of the ocean.
BBC Wildlife Magazine, October 2012
“I’m not good at sitting around and saying, ‘Look at the lovely sunshine.’ I don’t think I’ve sat on a beach doing nothing in 50 years.
Wanderlust, November 2005
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