Babylon, Learned and wise, hath perished utterly, Nor leaves her speech one word to aid the sigh That would lament her.
Interpretation
This quote reflects on the impermanence of human achievements and the loss of knowledge over time.
William Wordsworth's quote illustrates the idea that even the greatest civilizations, rich in wisdom and learning like Babylon, eventually fall into oblivion, leaving nothing behind to remember them by. It underscores the transient nature of human endeavors and the inevitability of forgetting, urging us to recognize the fragility of our legacies and the importance of preserving knowledge and culture.
In practice
In a speech about the importance of preserving cultural heritage, one might use this quote to emphasize our duty to remember the past.
For mightier far_x000D_ _x000D_ Than strength of nerve or sinew, or the sway_x000D_ _x000D_ Of magic potent over sun and star,_x000D_ _x000D_ Is love, though oft to agony distrest,_x000D_ _x000D_ And though his favourite be feeble woman's breast.
By all means sometimes be alone; salute thyself; see what thy soul doth wear; dare to look in thy chest; and tumble up and down what thou findest there.
There was a time when meadow, grove, and stream,_x000D_ _x000D_ The earth, and every common sight,_x000D_ _x000D_ To me did seem_x000D_ _x000D_ Apparelled in celestial light,_x000D_ _x000D_ The glory and the freshness of a dream.
Books are yours, Within whose silent chambers treasure lies Preserved from age to age; more precious far Than that accumulated store of gold And orient gems, which, for a day of need, The Sultan hides deep in ancestral tombs. These hoards of truth you can unlock at will.
The world is too much with us; late and soon, Getting and spending, we lay waste our powers: Little we see in Nature that is ours; We have given our hearts away, a sordid boon! The Sea that bares her bosom to the moon; The winds that will be howling at all hours, And are up-gathered now like sleeping flowers; For this, for everything, we are out of tune.
Shalt show us how divine a thing A woman may be made.
One life; a little gleam of Time between two Eternities; no second chance to us for evermore!
If it brings me to my knees, it's a bad religion
So a voice in the mountain is enough to let loose an avalanche. A word too much may be followed by a caving in. If the word had not been spoken, it would not have happened.
You come of the Lord Adam and the Lady Eve," said Aslan. "And that is both honour enough to erect the head of the poorest beggar, and shame enough to bow the shoulders of the greatest emperor on earth. Be content.
What a miserable thing life is: you're in clover; only the clover isn't good enough.
Missionary work is not easy because salvation is not a cheap experience.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.