Explain the following lines and state what light is thrown on Coleridge's philosophy of nature': O Lady! we receive but what we give, And in our life alone does Nature live. (MEG 102) (COLERIDGE: DEJECTION: AN ODE)

The lines "O Lady! we receive but what we give, And in our life alone does Nature live" suggest that our relationship with nature is reciprocal - we only get back what we put into it. Coleridge's philosophy of nature is based on the idea that nature is not something separate from us, but rather that we are a part of nature and that our actions and attitudes towards the natural world have a direct impact on our own well-being and the health of the planet.


In these lines, Coleridge is emphasizing the importance of our own actions and attitudes towards nature. He suggests that if we treat nature with respect and care, we will be rewarded with a sense of harmony and balance in our own lives. On the other hand, if we exploit and abuse the natural world, we will only sow the seeds of our own destruction.


Overall, these lines suggest that Coleridge sees nature as a fundamental part of our own lives and well-being, and that our relationship with nature is an essential aspect of our overall happiness and fulfillment as human beings.