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?
John DrydenRead
Shame on the body for breaking down while the spirit perseveres.
John DrydenRead
Love reckons hours for months, and days for years; and every little absence is an age.
John DrydenRead
And write whatever Time shall bring to pass_x000D_ _x000D_ With pens of adamant on plates of brass.
John DrydenRead
Similar quotes
He that in ye mine of knowledge deepest diggeth, hath, like every other miner, ye least breathing time, and must sometimes at least come to terr. alt. for air.
Isaac NewtonRead
It is the focus on the highest ideal day after day that saves life from being wrapped up in small whirlwinds.
Maharishi Mahesh YogiRead
They often ask me to shoot for them. But I say no. I think an old guy like me ought not take pages away from young photographers who need the exposure.
Helmut NewtonRead
One of my surgical giant friends had in his operating room a sign "If the operation is difficult, you aren't doing it right." What he meant was, you have to plan every operation You cannot ever be casual You have to realize that any operation is a potential fatality.
Joseph MurrayRead
Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Willing is not enough; we must do.
Johann Wolfgang Von GoetheRead
If we learn to open our hearts, anyone, including the people who drive us crazy, can be our teacher.
Pema ChodronRead