From morn To noon he fell, from noon to dewy eve,- A summer's day; and with the setting sun Dropp'd from the Zenith like a falling star.
Interpretation
This quote reflects on the transient nature of life, emphasizing how quickly time passes from day to day.
John Milton uses the imagery of a summer's day to illustrate the fleeting nature of human existence. The transition from morning to evening symbolizes the stages of life, suggesting that just as the day ends and the sun sets, so too do our lives come to an end, much like a star falling from the sky. This serves as a reminder of the inevitability of mortality and the importance of cherishing every moment.
In practice
This quote is perfect for a reflective speech about appreciating life.
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 story of life is quicker then the blink of an eye, the story of love is hello, goodbye.
I think about death all the time. I think that's a good thing because we're all going to die, and the only thing we can control is how we are and what we're doing in the meantime.
When I am playing baseball, I give it all that I have on the ball field. When the ball game is over, I certainly don't take it home. My little girl who is sitting out there wouldn't know the difference between a third strike and a foul ball. We don't talk about baseball at home.
From our birthday, until we die, Is but the winking of an eye.
I try to be available for life to happen to me. We're in this life, and if you're not available, the sort of ordinary time goes past and you didnβt live it. But if you're available, life gets huge. You're really living it.
Even more than getting married or having kids, I found losing a parent is what thrusts you into adulthood. For me it was. That was when the Earth tilted on its axis, and there was a paradigm shift, and I felt like a different person.
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