I saw within Its depth how It conceives_x000D_ _x000D_ All things in a single volume bound by Love_x000D_ _x000D_ of which the universe is the scattered leaves.
Dante AlighieriRead
Thy soul is by vile fear assailed, which oft so overcasts a man, that he recoils from noblest resolution, like a beast at some false semblance in the twilight gloom.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Fear can weaken one's resolve, preventing them from pursuing noble goals.
In this quote, Dante Alighieri illustrates the paralyzing effect of fear on the human spirit. He suggests that fear can create illusions that cause individuals to shy away from their highest aspirations, much like a frightened animal reacts to a shadowy figure in the darkness. This captures the struggle between courage and fear, emphasizing how the latter can mask the path to noble resolutions and actions.
Themes
FearCourageResolutionNobilityStruggle
In practice
Example use cases
In a motivational speech about overcoming challenges.
More from Dante Alighieri
All quotes βBefore me things created were none, save things Eternal, and eternal I endure. All hope abandon, ye who enter here.
Dante AlighieriRead
The customs and fashions of men change like leaves on the bough, some of which go and others come.
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Heaven wheels above you, displaying to you her eternal glories, and still your eyes are on the ground.
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Pride, envy, avarice - these are the sparks have set on fire the hearts of all men.
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Thus you may understand that love alone is the true seed of every merit in you, and of all acts for which you must atone.
Dante AlighieriRead
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