Day and night,_x000D_ _x000D_ Seed-time and harvest, heat and hoary frost_x000D_ _x000D_ Shall hold their course, till fire purge all things new.
Interpretation
This quote reflects the inevitability of change and the cyclical nature of life.
John Milton's quote emphasizes the continuity and persistence of natural cycles, such as the passage of day and night and the phases of planting and harvesting. It suggests that these rhythms are essential to life's progress and transformation, hinting at a larger process of purification and renewal that will eventually occur.
In practice
In a speech about resilience, this quote can illustrate how change is a natural part of life.
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.
I like every individual editor, designer, marketing and publicity person I deal with, but I don't like what publishers, corporately, are doing to the ecology of the book world. It's damaging, and it should change.
We must build a new world, a far better world - one in which the eternal dignity of man is respected.
So go ahead, break stuff. Break yourself on the once-hard edges of yourself. And recycle the debris into the foundation of your future.
Rather, to change a habit, you must keep the old cue, and deliver the old reward, but insert a new routine.
People are really rather afraid that this country might be rather swamped by people with a different culture.
Out of the rack and ruin of our gangster death, The rape and rot of graft, and stealth, and lies, We, the people, must redeem The land, the mines, the plants, the rivers. The mountains and the endless plain-- All, all the stretch of these great green states-- And make America again!
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