Alas, how easily things go wrong! A sigh too much, a kiss too long And there follows a mist and a weeping rain And life is never the same again
George MacdonaldRead
One who not merely beholds the outward shows of things, but catches a glimpse of the soul that looks out of them, whose garment and revelation they are-if he be such, I say, he will stand, for more than a moment, speechless with something akin to that which made the morning stars sing together.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote emphasizes the importance of perceiving the deeper essence of things beyond their superficial appearance.
George Macdonald suggests that true understanding comes from recognizing the inner spirit or essence of an object or person. He implies that those who see beyond mere appearances experience profound emotions and insights that can leave them momentarily speechless, akin to the awe felt when witnessing the beauty of the universe.
Themes
PerceptionEssenceSoulAwarenessUnderstanding
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about art, one might quote this to emphasize the need for deeper appreciation.
More from George Macdonald
All quotes →It is not in the nature of politics that the best men should be elected. The best men do not want to govern their fellowmen.
George MacdonaldRead
He may delay because it would not be safe to give us at once what we ask: we are not ready for it. To give ere we could truly receive, would be to destroy the very heart and hope of prayer, to cease to be our Father. The delay itself may work to bring us nearer to our help, to increase the desire, perfect the prayer, and ripen the receptive condition.
George MacdonaldRead
When I can no more stir my soul to move, and life is but the ashes of a fire; when I can but remember that my heart once used to live and love, long and aspire- O, be thou then the first, the one thou art; be thou the calling, before all answering love, and in me wake hope, fear, boundless desire.
George MacdonaldRead
But words are vain; reject them all— They utter but a feeble part: Hear thou the depths from which they call, The voiceless longing of my heart.
George MacdonaldRead
Few delights can equal the presence of one whom we trust utterly.
George MacdonaldRead
Similar quotes
If God forbade drinking, would He have made wine so good?
Cardinal RichelieuRead
In essentials, unity; in differences, liberty; in all things, charity.
Philipp MelanchthonRead
Edible, adj.: Good to eat, and wholesome to digest, as a worm to a toad, a toad to a snake, a snake to a pig, a pig to a man, and a man to a worm.
Ambrose BierceRead
How do you know but ev’ry Bird that cuts the airy way, Is an immense world of delight, clos’d by your senses five?
William BlakeRead
There are two great gifts which God, in his love for man, has granted from on high: the priesthood and the imperial dignity.
Justinian IRead
The mysteries of faith are degraded if they are made into an object of affirmation and negation, when in reality they should be an object of contemplation.
Simone WeilRead