Upon those who are without any tendency towards mysticism nature has a calming effect; to them it means a peaceful atmosphere; but to the mystic nature is everything. No wonder that the mystics, sages, and prophets of all ages sought refuge in nature from all the disturbing influences of daily life. They considered the caves of the mountains to be better than palaces; they enjoyed the shelter under a tree more than beautiful houses; they liked looking at the running water better than watching the passing crowds; they preferred the sea-shores to the great cities; they enjoyed watching the rising and the falling of the waves more than all the show that the world can produce; they loved to look at the moon, at the planets, at the stars in the sky more than at all the beautiful things made by man.