What does find tongues in trees mean from shakespeare?

"Find tongues in trees" is a phrase from William Shakespeare's play As You Like It. It means to find hidden meanings or messages in nature, to interpret the natural world as if it were speaking to us. In the context of the play, the character Rosalind is exiled to the Forest of Arden and finds solace and wisdom in nature. She says, "And this our life, exempt from public haunt, Finds tongues in trees, books in the running brooks, Sermons in stones, and good in everything."

Shakespeare's use of this phrase suggests that nature is not just a beautiful backdrop to human life, but also a source of knowledge and inspiration. It encourages us to pay attention to the natural world and to find meaning in its beauty and complexity.