“There is no such thing as bad weather, Source but only different kinds of pleasant weather.”
This simple yet profound idea challenges a common human complaint. We often label a rainy day as “bad” or a snowstorm as “terrible.” However, this philosophy suggests our perspective is the issue, not the weather itself. It invites us to find value and beauty in every atmospheric condition. This concept did not appear from nowhere. Instead, it evolved through the minds of writers and thinkers over more than a century, creating a fascinating history of attribution and interpretation.
The Scottish Origins
The earliest known version of this weather-positive sentiment emerged from a surprising source. Source It appeared in a series of fictional dialogues called “Noctes Ambrosianae.” These pieces were published in Blackwood’s Edinburgh Magazine in the early 19th century. Specifically, Professor John Wilson, writing under a pseudonym, crafted these popular works.
In an 1830 installment, Wilson introduced a character known as the Ettrick Shepherd. This character, speaking in a thick Scots dialect, offered the first recorded expression of the idea. He stated that he had never, in good conscience, seen what he could call bad weather. The Shepherd argued that even the worst weather always had a redeeming quality. This quality made it bearable without complaint. This early articulation established the core principle: every type of weather has inherent worth.
Interestingly, the same work also presented a counterargument. Another character, Christopher North, expressed a more pessimistic view. He suggested that perhaps there was no longer any such thing as good weather. This literary debate shows that the concept was thought-provoking from its very beginning.
John Ruskin’s Famous Proclamation
While the idea began in Scotland, the English writer and art critic John Ruskin made it famous. Ruskin delivered what is now the most celebrated version of the quote. He shared his thoughts during a lecture at the University of Oxford in 1883. The sentiment arose from a personal story about a painting.
Ruskin recounted a time when a friend criticized a piece by artist Copley Fielding. The painting showed drovers working in the rain. His friend dismissed it as a depiction of miserable weather. Ruskin, however, offered a powerful rebuttal. He declared there was no such thing as bad weather, only different kinds of pleasant weather. He added that some weather demands courage and patience to enjoy. Yet, all of it is appropriate for its season and beneficial for the world.
Furthermore, Ruskin expanded on this idea from an artistic perspective. He argued that moody, misty mountain scenes were more valuable to him than the clear blue skies of classical art. For him, the humble British weather held a unique beauty. It reflected a specific cultural and environmental context. This perspective elevated everyday atmospheric conditions to the level of high art. Ruskin’s eloquent defense cemented the philosophy in the public consciousness.
Other Voices Champion the Idea
Ruskin was not the last to explore this philosophy. Several other notable figures adapted and promoted the concept, each adding their unique spin. Sir John Lubbock, an English scientist, included his interpretation in his 1894 book, The Use of Life. Lubbock argued that no weather is truly bad; it is all delightful in its own way. He explained that sunshine is delicious, rain is refreshing, wind is bracing, and snow is exhilarating. His version focused on the direct, positive physical and emotional effects of different weather patterns on people.
Shortly after, in 1903, author George Gissing presented another version. In his book The Private Papers of Henry Ryecroft, he connected the idea to personal well-being. Gissing wrote that for a person with a sound body and a serene mind, bad weather simply does not exist. He suggested that every sky possesses beauty. Moreover, storms that whip the blood only make it pulse more vigorously. Gissing’s take highlights the link between one’s internal state and their external perception of the world.
A Tale of Misattribution
As the idea spread, its origins became tangled. The journey of this quote illustrates how easily words can be separated from their original authors. Over time, people began to attribute different versions of the saying to the wrong person. This confusion is a common phenomenon with popular quotations.
For example, a shortened version of Sir John Lubbock’s text was incorrectly credited to John Ruskin by 1901. This error appeared in a book of collected thoughts and persisted for decades. Many subsequent quotation collections repeated the mistake. As a result, Ruskin is often credited with words he never wrote, while Lubbock’s contribution is overlooked. This web of misattribution shows how an idea can take on a life of its own.
This trend highlights a fascinating aspect of intellectual history. As a concept becomes more popular, its specific origins can blur. People remember the core message more than the exact wording or the original speaker. The philosophy about weather became a piece of shared wisdom, with its parentage becoming a secondary detail. Recent analysis shows that online mentions of this philosophy have grown significantly, indicating its modern relevance.
The Enduring Power of Perspective
Why does this philosophy continue to resonate with so many people? Its lasting appeal lies in its powerful message about mindset and resilience. It teaches that our experience of the world is shaped not by external events, but by our internal response to them. The weather is a perfect metaphor for the uncontrollable aspects of life.
By choosing to see rain as refreshing rather than ruining, we reclaim our power. This outlook encourages mindfulness and a deeper connection to the natural world. It prompts us to step outside and appreciate the crisp air of a windy day or the quiet beauty of a snowy landscape. Ultimately, the idea that there is no bad weather is an invitation. It invites us to find joy, beauty, and opportunity in every single day, regardless of what the sky looks like.