A short retirement urges a sweet return.
Interpretation
A brief retirement allows one to return refreshed and happy.
This quote by John Milton suggests that taking a short break from life's demands can lead to a more enjoyable and fulfilling return to oneβs responsibilities and pleasures. It emphasizes the value of rest and rejuvenation, indicating that a temporary step back can enhance oneβs appreciation and effectiveness upon re-engagement.
In practice
This quote can be used during a farewell speech for a retiring colleague to emphasize the importance of breaks.
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.
I don't think I'll ever act again. I have so many wonderful memories, but those days are over.
I should say, one of the things about being a widow or a widower, you really, really need a sense of humor, because everything's going to fall apart.
The world's a hard place, Danny. It don't care. It don't hate you and me, but it don't love us, either. Terrible things happen in the world, and they're things no one can explain. Good people die in bad, painful ways and leave the folks that love them all alone. Sometimes it seems like it's only the bad people who stay healthy and prosper. The world don't love you, but your momma does and so do I.
It is normal to give away a little of one's life in order not to lose it all.
Give me, for my life, all lives, give me all the pain of everyone, I'm going to turn it into hope. Give me all the joys, even the most secret, because otherwise how will these things be known? I have to tell them, give me the labors of everyday, for that's what I sing.
I tried not to think about my life. I did not have any good solid plans for it long-term - no bad plans either, no plans at all - and the lostness of that, compared with the clear ambitions of my friends (marriage, children, law school), sometimes shamed me. Other times in my mind I defended such a condition as morally and intellectually superior - my life was open and ready and free - but that did not make it less lonely.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.