To Nature, therefore, we turn as to the oldest and most influential teacher of our race; from one point of view once our task master, now our servant; from another point of view, our constant friend, instructor and inspirer.

因此，我们求助于自然就好像求助于我们人类最年长最有影响力的老师。从某个观点来看，自然曾是我们的监工，现在却是我们的奴仆。但从另一个观点来看，自然一直是我们的朋友、教导者和启发者。