I looked back at the summit of the mountain, which seemed but a cubit high in comparison with the height of human contemplation, were in not too often merged in the corruptions of the earth.
Interpretation
Human contemplation transcends earthly troubles and corruption.
In this quote, Petrarch reflects on the vast difference between the heights of human thought and the smallness of earthly troubles. He suggests that while we may be preoccupied with worldly concerns, the capacity for human contemplation allows us to rise above such corruptions, gaining a broader perspective on life and existence.
In practice
During a speech on the importance of mindfulness, one might reference this quote to emphasize the power of human thought.
Gold, silver, jewels, purple garments, houses built of marble, groomed estates, pious paintings, caparisoned steeds, and other things of this kind offer a mutable and superficial pleasure; books give delight to the very marrow of one's bones. They speak to us, consult with us, and join with us in a living and intense intimacy.
Five enemies of peace inhabit with us - avarice, ambition, envy, anger, and pride; if these were to be banished, we should infallibly enjoy perpetual peace.
Rarely do great beauty and great virtue dwell together.
To begin with myself, then, the utterances of men concerning me will differ widely, since in passing judgment almost every one is influenced not so much by truth as by preference, and good and evil report alike know no bounds.
True, we love life, not because we are used to living, but because we are used to loving. There is always some madness in love, but there is also always some reason in madness.
Sameness is the mother of disgust, variety the cure.
Man makes holy what he believes as he makes beautiful what he loves.
But there is in everything a reasonable division of labour. I have written the book, and nothing on earth would induce me to read it.
It is from the midst of this putrid sewer that the greatest river of human industry springs up and carries fertility to the whole world. From this foul drain pure gold flows forth.
Compassion is the key in Islam and Buddhism and Judaism and Christianity. They are profoundly similar.
Perhaps it is time to debate culture. The common story is that in 'real' African culture, before it was tainted by the West, gender roles were rigid and women were contentedly oppressed.
Whether I am or am not a Communist is irrelevant. The question is whether American citizens, regardless of their political beliefs or sympathies, may enjoy their constitutional rights.
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