Let knowledge grow from more to more, But more of reverence in us dwell; That mind and soul, according well, May make one music as before, But vaster.
Interpretation
Knowledge should expand continuously while fostering reverence, leading to harmony between mind and soul.
In this quote, Tennyson suggests that true knowledge is not just about accumulating facts but also about developing a deep respect for the wisdom that knowledge brings. He emphasizes the importance of harmonizing both the intellect and the emotional or spiritual self, thus creating a richer, more profound understanding of life, similar to a symphony that is broad and expansive.
In practice
Using this quote in a speech about the importance of education and lifelong learning.
Twilight and evening bell, And after that the dark! And may there be no sadness of farewell, When I embark; For though from out our bourne of Time and Place The flood may bear me far, I hope to see my Pilot face to face When I have crossed the bar.
How many a father have I seen, A sober man, among his boys, Whose youth was full of foolish noise.
O Love! what hours were thine and mine, In lands of palm and southern pine; In lands of palm, of orange-blossom, Of olive, aloe, and maize and vine!
Earth is dry to the centre,_x000D_ But spring, a new comer,_x000D_ A spring rich and strange,_x000D_ Shall make the winds blow_x000D_ Round and round,_x000D_ Thro' and thro',_x000D_ Here and there,_x000D_ Till the air_x000D_ And the ground_x000D_ Shall be fill'd with life anew.
O love, O fire! once he drew With one long kiss my whole soul through My lips, as sunlight drinketh dew.
But thy strong Hours indignant work’d their wills, And beat me down and marr’d and wasted me, And tho’ they could not end me, left me maim’d To dwell in presence of immortal youth, Immortal age beside immortal youth, And all I was, in ashes. - Tithonus
When you've wised up enough, there is a very clear conclusion that you have to reach after a while, which is, at the end of the day, it is really impossible for one person to make a difference.
I am proud to be part of a species where a subset of its members willingly put their lives at risk to push the boundaries of our existence.
Let me keep my mind on what matters, which is my work, which is mostly standing still and learning to be astonished.
Whatever humans have learned had to be learned as a consequence only of trial and error experience. Humans have learned only through mistakes.
It has long been recognized that an essential element in protecting human rights was a widespread knowledge among the population of what their rights are and how they can be defended.
I have had many successes and many failures in my life. My successes have always been for different reasons, but my failures have always been for the same reason: I said yes when I meant no.
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