Poetry is that art which selects and arranges the symbols of thought in such a manner as to excite the imagination the most powerfully and delightfully.
William Cullen BryantRead
And suns grow meek, and the meek suns grow brief, and the year smiles as it draws near its death.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote reflects on the passage of time and the gentle acceptance of change.
William Cullen Bryant's quote evokes a sense of the cyclical nature of life, illustrating how even the most vibrant and powerful elements of nature, like the sun, yield to the passage of time and ultimately become fleeting. It suggests that as the year comes to an end, it embraces its transition gracefully, reminding us that beauty often lies in impermanence and that change, though inevitable, can be approached with acceptance and calmness.
Themes
NatureTimeChangeAcceptanceImpermanence
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about the beauty of seasons changing, this quote can reinforce the idea of acceptance in life's transitions.
More from William Cullen Bryant
All quotes βWeep not that the world changes - did it keep a stable, changeless state, it were cause indeed to weep.
William Cullen BryantRead
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