John Wesley Powell quotes

John Wesley Powell was an American explorer, geologist, and soldier, best remembered for leading the first expedition through the Grand Canyon by boat. His daring journeys greatly expanded knowledge of the American West and its geography. He later became a prominent advocate for science and conservation in the United States. Here are 5 of his quotes:

The wonders of the Grand Canyon cannot be adequately represented in symbols of speech, nor by speech itself. The resources of the graphic art are taxed beyond their powers in attempting to portray its features. Language and illustration combined must fail.

John Wesley Powell

You cannot see the Grand Canyon in one view, as if it were a changeless spectacle from which a curtain might be lifted, but to see it, you have to toil from month to month through its labyrinths.

John Wesley Powell

Years of drought and famine come and years of flood and famine come, and the climate is not changed with dance, libation or prayer.

John Wesley Powell

The verb is relatively of much greater importance in an Indian tongue than in a civilized language.

John Wesley Powell