Love built on beauty, soon as beauty, dies.
John DonneRead
No spring nor summer beauty hath such grace as I have seen in one autumnal face.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The beauty of autumn is unparalleled and can surpass that of spring or summer.
In this quote, John Donne expresses a profound appreciation for the distinct beauty found in autumn, suggesting that it possesses a grace that is unmatched by the fleeting beauties of spring and summer. This sentiment reflects a deeper understanding of the aging process and the unique qualities that come with maturity and change, celebrating the elegance and richness of life as it transitions.
Themes
AutumnBeautyNatureGraceChange
In practice
Example use cases
During a speech at a seasonal festival, one might say, 'As John Donne observed, no spring nor summer beauty hath such grace as I have seen in one autumnal face.'
More from John Donne
All quotes βReason is our soul's left hand, Faith her right, By these we reach divinity
John DonneRead
All occasions invite His mercies, and all times are His seasons.
John DonneRead
If poisonous minerals, and if that tree, Whose fruit threw death on else immortal us, If lecherous goats, if serpents envious Cannot be damned; alas; why should I be?
John DonneRead
Any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in Mankind; And therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee.
John DonneRead
I call not that virginity a virtue, which resideth onely in the bodies integrity; much less if it be with a purpose of perpetually keeping it: for then it is a most inhumane vice. - But I call that Virginity a virtue which is willing and desirous to yield it self upon honest and lawfull terms, when just reason requireth; and until then, is kept with a modest chastity of body and mind.
John DonneRead
Similar quotes
It was Autumn, and incessant Piped the quails from shocks and sheaves, And, like living coals, the apples Burned among the withering leaves.
Henry Wadsworth LongfellowRead
My father considered a walk among the mountains as the equivalent of churchgoing.
Aldous HuxleyRead
Nature is slow, but sure; she works no faster than need be; she is the tortoise that wins the race by her perseverance.
Henry David ThoreauRead
Since oceans are the life support system of our planet, regulating the climate, providing most of our oxygen and feeding over a billion people, what's bad for oceans is bad for us - very bad.
Philippe Cousteau, Jr.Read
Tis a morning pure and sweet, And a dewy splendour falls On the little flower that clings To the turrets and the walls; 'Tis a morning pure and sweet, And the light and shadow fleet; She is walking in the meadow, And the woodland echo rings; In a moment we shall meet; She is singing in the meadow, And the rivulet at her feet Ripples on in light and shadow To the ballad that she sings.
Alfred Lord TennysonRead
When the green woods laugh with the voice of joy, And the dimpling stream runs laughing by; When the air does laugh with our merry wit, And the green hill laughs with the noise of it.
William BlakeRead