And may at last my weary age Find out the peaceful hermitage, The hairy gown and mossy cell, Where I may sit and rightly spell Of every star that heaven doth shew, And every herb that sips the dew, Till old experience to attain To something like prophetic strain.
Interpretation
This quote reflects a desire for inner peace and wisdom gained through experience over time.
In this passage, John Milton expresses a longing for a tranquil and secluded place where he can reflect on the knowledge and insights gained throughout his life. The imagery of a 'peaceful hermitage' and the ability to contemplate the stars and nature symbolizes the pursuit of deeper understanding and wisdom that comes with age and experience. It illustrates the journey toward enlightenment, suggesting that true wisdom is achieved through contemplation and connection with the natural world.
In practice
This quote can inspire a group of students during graduation speeches, emphasizing the importance of experience and wisdom moving forward.
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.
The power for creating a better future is contained in the present moment: You create a good future by creating a good present.
What one does easily, one does well.
Act without doing; work without effort. Think of the small as large and the few as many. Confront the difficult while it is still easy; accomplish the great task by a series of small acts. The Master never reaches for the great; thus she achieves greatness. When she runs into a difficulty, she stops and gives herself to it. She doesn't cling to her own comfort; thus problems are no problem for her.
It sounds plausible enough tonight, but wait until tomorrow. Wait for the common sense of the morning.
Learn how to say no. Don't let your mouth overload your back.
Present-moment awareness creates a gap not only in the stream of mind but also in the past-future continuum. Nothing truly new and creative can come into this world except through that gap, that clear space of infinite possibility.
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