M Fukuoka Quotes & Sayings

Many people think that when we practice agriculture, nature is helping us in our efforts to grow food. This is an exclusively human-centered viewpoint ... we should instead, realize that we are receiving that which nature decides to give us. A farmer does not grow something in the sense that he or she creates it. That human is only a small part of the whole process by which nature expresses its being. The farmer has very little influence over that process ... other than being there and doing his or her small part. — Masanobu Fukuoka

In nature's cyclical rhythms, there are no grounds for the discriminatory view that underlies Darwin's view of superiority and inferiority that deems single-celled organisms as lower, and more complicated life forms as higher. It would be more appropriate to say we are all one continuous life-form. — Masanobu Fukuoka

Weeds play an important part in building soil fertility and in balancing the biological community ... — Masanobu Fukuoka

At first people ate simply because they were alive and because food was tasty. Modern people have come to think that if they do not prepare food with elaborate seasonings, the meal will be tasteless. If you do not try to make food delicious, you will find that nature has made it so. — Masanobu Fukuoka

We have come to the point at which there is no other way than to bring about a 'movement' not to bring anything about — Masanobu Fukuoka

Life on a small farm might seem primitive, but by living such a life we become able to discover the Great Path. I believe that one who deeply respects his neighborhood and everyday world in which he lives will be shown the greatest of all worlds. — Masanobu Fukuoka

Although natural farming - since it can teach people to cultivate a deep understanding of nature - may lead to spiritual insight, it's not strictly a spiritual practice. — Masanobu Fukuoka

A farmer does not grow something in the sense that he or she creates it. That human is only a small part of the whole process by which nature expresses its being. — Masanobu Fukuoka

There is no one so great as the one who does not try to accomplish anything — Masanobu Fukuoka

I believe that a revolution can begin from this one strand of straw. Seen at a glance, this rice straw may appear light and insignificant. Hardly anyone would believe that it could start a revolution. But I have come to realize the weight and power of this straw. For me, this revolution is very real. — Masanobu Fukuoka

In olden times there were warriors, farmers, craftsmen, and merchants. Agriculture was said to be closer to the source of things than trade or manufacturing, and the farmer was said to be "the cupbearer of the gods." He was always able to get by somehow or other and have enough to eat. — Masanobu Fukuoka

People think they understand things because they become familiar with them. This is only superficial knowledge. It is the knowledge of the astronomer who knows the names of the stars, the botanist who knows the classification of the leaves and flowers, the artist who knows the aesthetics of green and red. This is not to know nature itself- the earth and sky, green and red. Astronomer, botanist, and artist have done no more than grasp impressions and interpret them, each within the vault of his own mind. The more involved they become with the activity of the intellect, the more they set themselves apart and the more difficult it becomes to live naturally. — Masanobu Fukuoka

In my opinion, if 100% of the people were farming it would be ideal. If each person were given one quarter-acre, that is 1 1/4 acres to a family of five, that would be more than enough land to support the family for the whole year. If natural farming were practiced, a farmer would also have plenty of time for leisure and social activities within the village community. I think this is the most direct path toward making this country a happy, pleasant land. — Masanobu Fukuoka

If nature is left to itself, fertility increases. Organic remains of plants and animals accumulate and are decomposed on the surface by bacteria and fungi. With the movement of rainwater, the nutrients are taken deep into the soil to become food for microorganisms, earthworms, and other small animals. Plant roots reach to the lower soil strata and draw the nutrients back up to the surface. — Masanobu Fukuoka

I believe that even 'returning-to-nature' and anti pollution activities, no matter how commendable, are not moving toward a genuine solution if they are carried out solely in reaction to the over development of the present age. — Masanobu Fukuoka

Fast rather than slow, more rather than less
this flashy "development" is linked directly to society's impending collapse. It has only served to separate man from nature. Humanity must stop indulging the desire for material possessions and personal gain and move instead toward spiritual awareness.
Agriculture must change from large mechanical operations to small farms attached only to life itself. Material life and diet should be given a simple place. If this is done, work becomes pleasant, and spiritual breathing space becomes plentiful. — Masanobu Fukuoka

The more people do, the more society develops, the more problems arise. The — Masanobu Fukuoka

My ultimate dream is to sow seeds in the desert. To revegetate the deserts is to sow seed in people's hearts. — Masanobu Fukuoka

The increasing desolation of nature, the exhaustion of resources, the uneasiness and disintegration of the human spirit, all have been brought about by humanity's trying to accomplish something. — Masanobu Fukuoka

Food and medicine are not two different things: the are the front and back of one body. — Masanobu Fukuoka

Farming is not just for growing crops, it is for the cultivation ... o f human beings! — Masanobu Fukuoka

If we throw mother nature out the window, she comes back in the door with a pitchfork. — Masanobu Fukuoka

Modern research divides nature into tiny pieces and conducts tests that conform neither with natural law nor with practical experience. The results are arranged for the convenience of research, not according to the needs of the farmer. — Masanobu Fukuoka

I believe that if one fathoms deeply one's own neighborhood and the everyday world in which he lives, the greatest of worlds will be revealed. — Masanobu Fukuoka

Before researchers become researches they should become philosophers. — Masanobu Fukuoka

Until there is a reversal of the sense of values which cares more for size and appearance than for quality, there will be no solving the problem of food pollution. — Masanobu Fukuoka

Since I turned the fields back to their natural state, I can't say I've had any really difficult problems with insects or disease. — Masanobu Fukuoka

The healing of the land and the purification of the human spirit is the same process. — Masanobu Fukuoka

We can never know the answers to great spiritual questions, but it's all right not to understand. We have been born and are living on the earth to face directly the reality of living. — Masanobu Fukuoka

Nature does not change, although the way of viewing nature invariably changes from age to age. — Masanobu Fukuoka