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
He look'd in years, yet in his years were seen A youthful vigor, and autumnal green.
Interpretation
The quote reflects the coexistence of youthful energy and the wisdom of age.
In this quote by John Dryden, the speaker observes a person who appears aged yet embodies a youthful vigor. This juxtaposition highlights the complexity of human experience, where age may bring physical signs of maturity, yet an inner vitality and spirit can remain vibrant and youthful, suggesting that life's essence is not solely defined by one's years.
In practice
During a speech on aging gracefully, this quote can emphasize the importance of maintaining inner vitality.
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.
Of 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.
Or hast thou known the world so long in vain?
Shame on the body for breaking down while the spirit perseveres.
Love reckons hours for months, and days for years; and every little absence is an age.
And write whatever Time shall bring to pass_x000D_ _x000D_ With pens of adamant on plates of brass.
Definition, rationality, and structure are ways of seeing, but they become prisons when they blank out other ways of seeing.
And now, farewell to kindness, humanity and gratitude... I have substituted myself for Providence in rewarding the good; may the God of vengeance now yield me His place to punish the wicked.
We do not know what really good or bad fortune is.
The world was conquered through the understanding of dogs; the world exists through the understanding of dogs.
Eviction is much more an inevitability than a result of irresponsibility.
The real secrets of Masonry are never told, not even from mouth to ear. For the real secret of Masonry is spoken to your heart and from it to the heart of your brother. Never the language made for tongue may speak it, it is uttered only in the eye in those manifestations of that love which a man has for his friend, which passeth all other loves.
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