So may'st thou live, till like ripe fruit thou drop Into thy mother's lap.
Interpretation
The quote suggests living a long life and eventually returning to a state of innocence or home at life's end.
In this quote by John Milton, the imagery of ripe fruit dropping into the mother's lap evokes a sense of returning to one's origins, emphasizing the natural cycle of life from birth to death. It reflects a longing for a peaceful and fulfilling life that culminates in a serene conclusion where one can find solace and comfort in the embrace of their beginnings, much like how fruit eventually falls from trees when it is ready to do so.
In practice
During a wedding speech, one might use this quote to reflect on the beauty of life and returning to origins.
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.
Everything was usual. That was depression: being stuck, clinging to an out-of-date version of oneself.
All of us must care for life, cherish life, with tenderness, warmth...to give life is to open (our) heart, and to care for life is to (give oneself) in tenderness and warmth for others, to have concern in my heart for others. Caring for life from the beginning to the end. What a simple thing, what a beautiful thing..So, go forth and don't be discouraged. Care for life. It's worth it.
If the path before you is clear, you're probably on someone else's.
After my husband died, I could not write much - I could not concentrate. I was too exhausted most of the time even to contemplate writing. But I did take notes - not for fiction, but for a journal, or diary, of this terrible time. I did not think that I would ever survive this interlude.
It is a little disappointing to see that your legs are not as strong. But I like the idea of growing old, and the thought of approaching death is not particularly daunting to me.
But youth has a future. The closer he came to graduation, the more his heart beat. He said to himself: βThis is still not life, this is only the preparation for life.
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