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
Our vows are heard betimes! and Heaven takes care To grant, before we can conclude the prayer: Preventing angels met it half the way, And sent us back to praise, who came to pray.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote suggests that our intentions and prayers are recognized and fulfilled by divine intervention even before we can articulate them fully.
John Dryden's quote reflects the notion that the universe or a higher power is attuned to our deepest desires and prayers, often fulfilling them before we are even aware of our needs. It implies a connection between human intention and divine response, emphasizing the idea that there are unseen forces at work that recognize and fulfill our wishes, allowing us to shift our focus from mere asking to gratitude for what we receive.
Themes
PrayerDivineGratitudeIntentionAngels
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about faith, I can use this quote to illustrate the idea that our prayers are heard.
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
It is still open for me, as well as you, to regulate my behavior, by my experience of past events.
David HumeRead
I should like to save the Shire, if I could - though there have been times when I thought the inhabitants too stupid and dull for words, and have felt that an earthquake or an invasion of dragons might be good for them. But I don't feel like that now. I feel that as long as the Shire lies behind, safe and comfortable, I shall find wandering more bearable: I shall know that somewhere there is a firm foothold, even if my feet cannot stand there again.
J. R. R. TolkienRead
He who is firm in will molds the world to himself.
Johann Gottlieb FichteRead
Tolerance implies no lack of commitment to one's own beliefs. Rather it condemns the oppression or persecution of others.
John F. KennedyRead
There are no perfect human beings! Persons can be found who are good, very good indeed, in fact, great. There do in fact exist creators, seers, sages, saints, shakers, and movers...even if they are uncommon and do not come by the dozen. And yet these very same people can at times be boring, irritating, petulant, selfish, angry, or depressed. To avoid disillusionment with human nature, we must first give up our illusions about it.
Abraham MaslowRead
The principle can be established that for a man who does not cheat what he believes to be true must determine his actions.
Albert CamusRead