Men are but children of a larger growth, Our appetites as apt to change as theirs, And full as craving too, and full as vain.
John DrydenRead
But far more numerous was the herd of such, Who think too little, and who talk too much.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote highlights the prevalence of people who speak without sufficient thought.
John Dryden's quote suggests that many individuals lack the capacity for deep thinking yet feel compelled to voice their opinions loudly and frequently. This phenomenon reflects a societal tendency where the quality of discourse suffers due to a lack of contemplation, leading to superficial conversations that overshadow the insights of critically thinking individuals.
Themes
ThoughtSpeechWisdomCommunicationSuperficiality
In practice
Example use cases
This quote could be used in a discussion about the importance of thoughtful communication in a debate.
More from John Dryden
All quotes βOf no distemper, of no blast he died, _x000D_ But fell like autumn fruit that mellow'd long: _x000D_ Even wonder'd at, because he dropp'd no sooner. _x000D_ Fate seem'd to wind him up for fourscore years; _x000D_ Yet freshly ran he on ten winters more; _x000D_ Till like a clock worn out with eating time, _x000D_ The wheels of weary life at last stood still.
John DrydenRead
Or hast thou known the world so long in vain?
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Shame on the body for breaking down while the spirit perseveres.
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Love reckons hours for months, and days for years; and every little absence is an age.
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And write whatever Time shall bring to pass_x000D_ _x000D_ With pens of adamant on plates of brass.
John DrydenRead
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