It is chiefly through books that we enjoy intercourse with superior minds. In the best books, great men talk to us, give us their most precious thoughts, and pour their souls into ours.
William Ellery ChanningRead
The reveries of youth, in which so much energy is wasted, are the yearnings of a Spirit made for what it has not found but must forever seek as an Ideal.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Youthful dreams often feel unfulfilled as they represent a deeper quest for ideals and purpose.
This quote reflects on the nature of youth and its energies spent on dreams and desires that remain elusive. It suggests that these yearnings are indicative of a deeper spiritual quest, highlighting the universal pursuit of ideals and aspirations that may never be completely attained, yet drive individuals to keep seeking meaning and fulfillment in life.
Themes
YouthIdealSpiritYearningDreamsEnergy
In practice
Example use cases
During a graduation speech to inspire students about their future aspirations.
More from William Ellery Channing
All quotes →No power in society, no hardship in your condition can depress you, keep you down, in knowledge, power, virtue, influence, but by your own consent.
William Ellery ChanningRead
I laugh, for hope hath a happy place with me; If my boat sinks, 'tis to another sea.
William Ellery ChanningRead
We smile at the ignorance of the savage who cuts down the tree in order to reach its fruit; but the same blunder is made by every person who is over eager and impatient in the pursuit of pleasure.
William Ellery ChanningRead
Every mind was made for growth, for knowledge, and its nature is sinned against when it is doomed to ignorance.
William Ellery ChanningRead
He who is false to the present duty breaks a thread in the loom, and you will see the effect when the weaving of a life-time is unraveled.
William Ellery ChanningRead
Similar quotes
People? People are chaotic quiddities living in one cave each. They pass the hours in amorous grudge and playback and thought experiment. At the campfire they put the usual fraction on exhibit, and listen to their own silent gibber about how they're feeling and how they're going down. We've been there. Death helps. Death gives us something to do. Because it's a fulltime job looking the other way.
Martin AmisRead
God's ways do not change... Still he shows his freedom and lordship by discriminating between sinners, causing some to hear the gospel while others do not hear it, and moving some of those who hear it to repentance while leaving others in their unbelief, thus teaching his saints that hew owes mercy to none and that it is entirely of his grace, not at all through their own effort, that they themselves have found life.
J. I. PackerRead
Like the bee gathering honey from the different flowers, the wise person _x000D_ accepts the essence of the different scriptures and sees only the good in all religions.
Mahatma GandhiRead
A set is a Many that allows itself to be thought of as a One.
Georg CantorRead
The idea that there is one kind of African is of course ridiculous. Sometimes African entrepreneurs want to kill you because you are saying public health is the priority, not roads. Of course they are right to press for that issue, but so are we right, I believe, to argue for example that millions of children could and should be vaccinated.
BonoRead
The noblest contribution which any man can make for the benefit of posterity, is that of character. The richest bequest which any man can leave to the youth of his native land, is that of a shining, spotless example.
Robert Charles WinthropRead