"It can't be Nature, for it is not sense"

Charles Churchill’s words, “It can't be Nature, for it is not sense,” emerge as a pointed observation on the relationship between natural order and rational thought. The assertion underscores the intrinsic link Churchill perceives between nature and reason, implying that anything lacking in sense or rationality cannot be truly aligned with the natural world. Nature, in the philosophical context of Churchill’s era, was often idealized as a system governed by laws, harmony, and logical principles. To deviate from sense was, therefore, to stray from the blueprint nature provides.

By insisting that irrational or nonsensical elements cannot be derived from nature, Churchill draws a distinction between artificial constructs and authentic natural phenomena. Sense, or rationality, becomes the litmus test for authenticity. The implication is not only that nature operates within the bounds of logic, but also that human endeavors, expressions, or institutions which are devoid of reason are inherently unnatural. This perspective invites readers to scrutinize artifice and pretense, to discern the genuine from the contrived.

There is a subtle critique embedded in Churchill’s line, likely targeting the affectations of society, literature, or artifice prevalent in his time. When human creations abandon clarity, coherence, and reason, they forfeit their connection with the natural order and thus become suspect or even absurd. Such commentary continues to resonate, reminding audiences that authenticity and value are anchored in what makes sense, what aligns with the patterns observed in the natural world.

The phrase can also be read as an indictment of empty rhetoric or ornamental displays, where style outpaces substance, and logic is sacrificed for effect. Churchill advocates for fidelity to nature’s laws, to reason, and to sensibility, suggesting that only through such alignment can truth and beauty genuinely emerge.