The true secret of giving advice is, after you have honestly given it, to be perfectly indifferent whether it is taken or not, and never persist in trying to set people right.
Henry Ward BeecherRead
The man who perceives life only with his eye, his ear, his hand, and his tongue, is but little higher than the ox or an intelligent dog; but he who has imagination sees things around and above him, as the angels see them.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote emphasizes the importance of imagination in enhancing our perception of life beyond the physical senses.
Henry Ward Beecher's quote suggests that relying solely on our physical senses limits our understanding of the world to a mere animalistic level. In contrast, those who use their imagination can perceive beauty, depth, and meaning that transcend the ordinary, allowing them to experience life with a greater sense of wonder and connection to higher ideals.
Themes
ImaginationPerceptionLifeSensesUnderstanding
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about creativity, one might use this quote to emphasize the value of imaginative thinking.
More from Henry Ward Beecher
All quotes →A man who cannot get angry is like a stream that cannot overflow, that is always turbid. Sometimes indignation is as good as a thunderstorm in summer, clearing and cooling the air.
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No one can deal with the hearts of men unless he has the sympathy which is given by love.
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We are always on the anvil; by trials God is shaping us for higher things.
Henry Ward BeecherRead
No man can tell if he is rich or poor by turning to his ledger. It is the heart that makes a man rich. He is rich according to what he is, not according to what he has.
Henry Ward BeecherRead
There are joys which long to be ours. God sends ten thousands truths, which come about us like birds seeking inlet; but we are shut up to them, and so they bring us nothing, but sit and sing awhile upon the roof, and then fly away.
Henry Ward BeecherRead
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