Some dreams we have are nothing else but dreams, Unnatural and full of contradictions; Yet others of our most romantic schemes, Are something more than fictions.
Thomas HoodRead
The Autumn is old; The sere leaves are flying; He hath gather'd up gold, And now he is dying;- Old age, begin sighing!
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote reflects on the inevitability of aging and the transition that comes with it, likening autumn to old age.
Thomas Hood's quote poignantly captures the essence of aging and the cycle of life through the metaphor of autumn. It suggests that as one ages, like the trees that shed their leaves, there is a gathering of experiences ('gold') that can bring both beauty and sorrow, leading ultimately to the acceptance of mortality and the inevitable sighing that accompanies the process of growing old.
Themes
AutumnAgingChangeMortalityReflection
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about the beauty of aging, I might include this quote to illustrate the inevitable transition of life.
More from Thomas Hood
All quotes βTis like the birthday of the world,_x000D_ _x000D_ When earth was born in bloom;_x000D_ _x000D_ The light is made of many dyes,_x000D_ _x000D_ The air is all perfume:_x000D_ _x000D_ There's crimson buds, and white and blue,_x000D_ _x000D_ The very rainbow showers_x000D_ _x000D_ Have turned to blossoms where they fell,_x000D_ _x000D_ And sown the earth with flowers.
Thomas HoodRead
Some minds improve by travel, others, rather, resemble copper wire, or brass, which get the narrower by going farther.
Thomas HoodRead
It was a childish ignorance, But now 'tis little joy To know I'm further off from heaven Than when I was a boy.
Thomas HoodRead
I resolved that, like the sun, as long as my day lasted, I would look on the bright side of everything.
Thomas HoodRead
I remember, I remember The fir-trees dark and high; I used to think their slender tops Were close against the sky; It was a childish ignorance, But now 't is little joy To know I'm farther off from heaven Than when I was a boy.
Thomas HoodRead
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