For other things mild Heav'n a time ordains, And disapproves that care, though wise in show, That with superfluous burden loads the day, And when God sends a cheerful hour, refrains.
Interpretation
This quote emphasizes the importance of balance and the need to let go of burdensome worries to embrace joyful moments.
John Milton suggests that while life presents challenges and responsibilities, it is wise to avoid overloading oneself with unnecessary concerns. Instead, one should recognize when divine or fortunate moments occur and be willing to partake in them without the weight of excessive anxiety or rigid adherence to duty.
In practice
During a motivational speech to remind people to enjoy life and balance their responsibilities.
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.
Our greatest fear should not be of failure but of succeeding at things in life that don't really matter.
A man does not call a line crooked unless he has some idea of a straight line.
In times like these, it helps to recall that there have always been times like these.
Do you know this Sanskrit Shloka: "Let those who are versed in the ethical codes praise or blame, let Lakshmi, the goddess of Fortune, come or go wherever she wisheth, let death overtake him today or after a century, the wise man never swerves from the path of rectitude." Let people praise you or blame you, let fortune smile or frown upon you, let your body fall today or after a Yuga, see that you do not deviate from the path of Truth.
You can't be hesitant about who you are.
Things are always better in the morning.
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