And may at last my weary age Find out the peaceful hermitage, The hairy gown and mossy cell, Where I may sit and rightly spell Of every star that heaven doth shew, And every herb that sips the dew, Till old experience to attain To something like prophetic strain.
Interpretation
This quote reflects a desire for inner peace and wisdom gained through experience over time.
In this passage, John Milton expresses a longing for a tranquil and secluded place where he can reflect on the knowledge and insights gained throughout his life. The imagery of a 'peaceful hermitage' and the ability to contemplate the stars and nature symbolizes the pursuit of deeper understanding and wisdom that comes with age and experience. It illustrates the journey toward enlightenment, suggesting that true wisdom is achieved through contemplation and connection with the natural world.
In practice
This quote can inspire a group of students during graduation speeches, emphasizing the importance of experience and wisdom moving forward.
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.
The power of doing anything with quickness is always prized much by the possessor, and often without any attention to the imperfection of the performance.
A great man does not seek applause or place; he seeks for truth; he seeks the road to happiness, and what he ascertains, he gives to others.
I'm great at a deathbed. I've never given tranquillisers or psychiatric medicine. I've given love and fun and creativity and passion and hope, and these things ease suffering.
If there are ripples on the surface of a lake, we cannot see the depth. Similarly unless the mind is restful, we cannot experience the harmony and union within us.
All too often, we spend our days waiting for the ideal path to appear in front of us. We forget that paths are made by walking, not waiting.
Those convinced against their will are of the same opinion still.
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