Men are but children of a larger growth, Our appetites as apt to change as theirs, And full as craving too, and full as vain.
John DrydenRead
For secrets are edged tools, And must be kept from children and from fools.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Secrets can be dangerous and should only be entrusted to those who can handle them responsibly.
This quote by John Dryden suggests that secrets have the potential to cause harm, much like sharp tools. It emphasizes the importance of discerning who is worthy of such knowledge, implying that naive or foolish individuals may misuse sensitive information, leading to negative consequences.
Themes
SecretsWisdomTrustKnowledgeDanger
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion about the importance of discretion in handling sensitive information.
More from John Dryden
All quotes βOf no distemper, of no blast he died, _x000D_ But fell like autumn fruit that mellow'd long: _x000D_ Even wonder'd at, because he dropp'd no sooner. _x000D_ Fate seem'd to wind him up for fourscore years; _x000D_ Yet freshly ran he on ten winters more; _x000D_ Till like a clock worn out with eating time, _x000D_ The wheels of weary life at last stood still.
John DrydenRead
Or hast thou known the world so long in vain?
John DrydenRead
Shame on the body for breaking down while the spirit perseveres.
John DrydenRead
Love reckons hours for months, and days for years; and every little absence is an age.
John DrydenRead
And write whatever Time shall bring to pass_x000D_ _x000D_ With pens of adamant on plates of brass.
John DrydenRead
Similar quotes
There [is] no innocence more dangerous than the innocence of age.
Gabriel Garcia MarquezRead
I had always been impressed by the fact that there are surprisingly many individuals who never use their minds if they can avoid it, and yet are not stupid, and an equal number who obviously do use their minds but in an amazingly stupid way.
Carl JungRead
It's so much easier to know who you are when there aren't a thousand people telling you who they think you are.
Miley CyrusRead
though the wide universe is full of good, no kernel of nourishing corn can come to him but through his toil bestowed on that plot of ground which is given to him to till.
Ralph Waldo EmersonRead
If you have problems of conduct that are difficult and hard to settle, I will furnish you with solutions, for I not only know matters of practice and duty, but I even know them beforehand.
Apollonius Of TyanaRead
At last _x000D_ _x000D_ He is healed of his self-doubt._x000D_ _x000D_ Now what is happening ?_x000D_ _x000D_ He is awakening_x000D_ _x000D_ To his souls ecstasy-sun.
Sri ChinmoyRead