From morn To noon he fell, from noon to dewy eve,- A summer's day; and with the setting sun Dropp'd from the Zenith like a falling star.
Interpretation
This quote reflects on the transient nature of life, emphasizing how quickly time passes from day to day.
John Milton uses the imagery of a summer's day to illustrate the fleeting nature of human existence. The transition from morning to evening symbolizes the stages of life, suggesting that just as the day ends and the sun sets, so too do our lives come to an end, much like a star falling from the sky. This serves as a reminder of the inevitability of mortality and the importance of cherishing every moment.
In practice
This quote is perfect for a reflective speech about appreciating 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.
After it's all over, the early childhood, a chain of birthdays woven with candlelight, piles of presents, voices of relatives singing and praising your promise and future, after the years of schooling, fitting yourself into different size desks, memorizing, reciting, reporting, and performing for jury after jury of teachers, counselors, and administrators, you still feel inadequate, alone, vulnerable, and naked in a world that can be unforgiving and terribly demanding.
You have left me so long to struggle against death, alone, that I feel and see only death! I feel like death!
I always tell people I'm grateful for my cancer diagnosis because it was the greatest gift because it completely changed my life. I was able to stop and let my whole life and world just crash over me like a wave. And I stood there and went, 'Wow.' And for the first time, I stopped everything. I had to.
The best way to make room for both life and career is to make choices deliberately-to set limits and stick to them.
To live your life in the fear of losing it is to lose the point of life.
We're only truly secure when we can look out our kitchen window and see our food growing and our friends working nearby.
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