And thou my minde aspire to higher things;_x000D_ _x000D_ Grow rich in that which never taketh rust.
Philip SidneyRead
If you have so earth-creeping a mind that it cannot lift itself up to look to the sky of poetry... thus much curse I must send you, in the behalf of all poets, that while you live, you live in love, and never get favour for lacking skill of a sonnet; and, when you die, your memory die from the earth for want of an epitaph.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote emphasizes the importance of creativity and appreciation for poetry, suggesting that a lack of imaginative thinking leads to an unremarkable legacy.
Philip Sidney's quote critiques those who remain grounded solely in practical matters, lacking the ability to appreciate the beauty and depth of poetry. He curses those with such a limited mindset by wishing that their lives would be filled with love and that they would be remembered poorly, deprived of poetic creativity, which he believes is crucial for a meaningful existence.
Themes
PoetryCreativityImaginationLegacyLove
In practice
Example use cases
During a literary discussion, one might use this quote to emphasize the value of poetic expression in culture.
More from Philip Sidney
All quotes →So, then, the best of the historian is subject to the poet; for whatsoever action or faction, whatsoever counsel, policy, or war-stratagem the historian is bound to recite, that may the poet, if he list, with his imitation make his own, beautifying it both for further teaching and more delighting, as it pleaseth him; having all, from Dante’s Heaven to his Hell, under the authority of his pen.
Philip SidneyRead
A true knight is fuller of bravery in the midst, than in the beginning of danger.
Philip SidneyRead
Shallow brooks murmur most, deep and silent slide away.
Philip SidneyRead
Fool," said my muse to me. "Look in thy heart and write.
Philip SidneyRead
In forming a judgment, lay your hearts void of foretaken opinions; else, whatsoever is done or said, will be measured by a wrong rule; like them who have jaundice, to whom everything appears yellow.
Philip SidneyRead
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