Good luck befriend thee, Son; for at thy birth The fairy ladies danced upon the hearth.
Interpretation
The quote expresses a wish for good fortune and happiness to accompany a person's life journey from birth.
In this quote, John Milton evokes the imagery of fairy ladies dancing at the birth of a child, symbolizing a blessing of good luck and happiness bestowed upon the newborn. It reflects the cultural belief that such auspicious events can shape a life filled with joy and fortune, emphasizing the hope that the child will be well-favored and supported throughout their journey in life.
In practice
A parent might share this quote at a baby shower to express their wishes for the child's future.
They, looking back, all the eastern side beheld Of Paradise, so late their happy seat, Waved over by that flaming brand, the gate With dreadful faces thronged and fiery arms: Some natural tears they dropped, but wiped them soon; The world was all before them, where to choose Their place of rest, and Providence their guide; They, hand in hand, with wandering steps and slow, Through Eden took their solitary way.
The stars, that nature hung in heaven, and filled their lamps with everlasting oil, give due light to the misled and lonely traveller.
Ev'n them who kept thy truth so pure of old, When all our fathers worshipp'd stocks and stones.
Abashed the devil stood and felt how awful goodness is and saw Virtue in her shape how lovely: and pined his loss
The end of all learning is to know God, and out of that knowledge to love and imitate Him.
Apt words have power to suage the tumors of a troubled mind.
I've learned that making a 'living' is not the same thing as 'making a life'.
Arrange whatever pieces come your way.
I'm not interested in my legacy. I made up a word: 'live-acy.' I'm more interested in living.
It is true that I had wanted to die , but that is peculiarly different from regretting having been born. Overwhelmingly, I was enormously glad to have been born, grateful for life, and I couldnβt imagine not wanting to pass on life to someone else.
The homes I like the best are totally occupied, busy, and useful, whether it's a tiny little house or a great big one. Rarely do you find a great big house that's used in a good way. So I prefer smaller spaces that are full of books, full of things that people are doing.
My dad had this incredible kindness that oozed through every part of his body. He had the ability to look at life positively in spite of what he went through. He was a Holocaust survivor. When he was 15-1/2 years old, he was liberated from the Dachau Concentration Camp by American soldiers who risked a lot to save people they had never met.
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