Thou art a man God is no more Thy own humanity Learn to adore
William BlakeRead
Expect poison from the standing water.
Interpretation
This quote suggests that stagnant or unchanging conditions can lead to negative outcomes.
William Blake's quote, 'Expect poison from the standing water,' implies that when things are allowed to remain idle or unchanging for too long, they can become detrimental or toxic. It serves as a cautionary reminder that stagnation, whether in ideas, relationships, or environments, often leads to negative consequences, encouraging a dynamic and proactive approach to life.
In practice
In a motivational speech about personal growth, you could use this quote to emphasize the importance of embracing change.
Thou art a man God is no more Thy own humanity Learn to adore
In seed time learn, in harvest teach, in winter enjoy.
O thou who passest through our valleys in Thy strength, curb thy fierce steeds, allay the heat That flames from their large nostrils! Thou, O Summer, Oft pitchest here thy golden tent, and oft Beneath our oaks hast slept, while we beheld With joy thy ruddy limbs and flourishing hair.
Every Night and every Morn Some to Misery are born. Every Morn and every Night Some are born to Sweet Delight, Some are born to Endless Night.
As the caterpillar chooses the fairest leaves to lay her eggs on, so the priest lays his curse on the fairest joys.
He who would do good to another must do it in minute particulars.
Admit when you're wrong. Shut up when you're right.
Never be a spectator of unfairness or stupidity. Seek out argument and disputation for their own sake; the grave will supply plenty of time for silence.
When you start to develop your powers of empathy and imagination, the whole world opens up to you.
We are free to choose our actions, . . . but we are not free to choose the consequences of these actions.
When you cannot be deceived by men you will have realised the wisdom of strategy.
I have never thought of myself as a good writer. Anyone who wants reassurance of that should read one of my first drafts. But I'm one of the world's great rewriters.
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