So may'st thou live, till like ripe fruit thou drop Into thy mother's lap.
Interpretation
The quote suggests living a long life and eventually returning to a state of innocence or home at life's end.
In this quote by John Milton, the imagery of ripe fruit dropping into the mother's lap evokes a sense of returning to one's origins, emphasizing the natural cycle of life from birth to death. It reflects a longing for a peaceful and fulfilling life that culminates in a serene conclusion where one can find solace and comfort in the embrace of their beginnings, much like how fruit eventually falls from trees when it is ready to do so.
In practice
During a wedding speech, one might use this quote to reflect on the beauty of life and returning to origins.
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 was depressed, but that was a side issue. This was more like closing up shop, or, say, having a big garage sale, where you look at everything you've bought in your life, and you remember how much it meant to you, and now you just tag it for a quarter and watch 'em carry it off, and you don't care. That's more like how it was.
I'm lucky. Usually you're dead to get your own museum, but I'm still alive to see mine.
The trouble with the rat race is that even if you win, you're still a rat.
Timing is the essence of life, and definitely of comedy.
Through life's ups and downs, and the few mistakes we make and all the successes that we get, let nobody - nobody's opinion - define who you are. And if anybody defines who you are, let it be yourself.
Yeah and it's over before you know it It all goes by so fast Yeah the bad nights take forever And the good nights don't ever seem to last
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