Men are but children of a larger growth, Our appetites as apt to change as theirs, And full as craving too, and full as vain.
John DrydenRead
For secrets are edged tools, And must be kept from children and from fools.
Interpretation
Secrets can be dangerous and should only be entrusted to those who can handle them responsibly.
This quote by John Dryden suggests that secrets have the potential to cause harm, much like sharp tools. It emphasizes the importance of discerning who is worthy of such knowledge, implying that naive or foolish individuals may misuse sensitive information, leading to negative consequences.
In practice
In a discussion about the importance of discretion in handling sensitive information.
Men are but children of a larger growth, Our appetites as apt to change as theirs, And full as craving too, and full as vain.
Of no distemper, of no blast he died, _x000D_ But fell like autumn fruit that mellow'd long: _x000D_ Even wonder'd at, because he dropp'd no sooner. _x000D_ Fate seem'd to wind him up for fourscore years; _x000D_ Yet freshly ran he on ten winters more; _x000D_ Till like a clock worn out with eating time, _x000D_ The wheels of weary life at last stood still.
Or hast thou known the world so long in vain?
Shame on the body for breaking down while the spirit perseveres.
Love reckons hours for months, and days for years; and every little absence is an age.
And write whatever Time shall bring to pass_x000D_ _x000D_ With pens of adamant on plates of brass.
It came to me that I should teach this truth for it is real happiness and joy. The cessation of suffering is possible.
Do you know the hallmark of the second-rater? It's resentment of another man's achievement.
But it is a blessed provision of nature that at times like these, as soon as a man's mercury has got down to a certain point there comes a revulsion, and he rallies. Hope springs up, and cheerfulness along with it, and then he is in good shape to do something for himself, if anything can be done.
I do think all good and evil comes from words. I have to tune myself into a good temper with something musical, and I run to a book as a child to its mother.
There is no substitute for talent. Industry and all its virtues are of no avail.
Woman has suffered for eons, and that has given her infinite patience and infinite perseverance.
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