The sea is calm tonight. The tide is full, the moon lies fair Upon the straits;- on the French coast the light Gleams and is gone; the cliffs of England stand, glimmering and vast, out in the tranquil bay.
Matthew ArnoldRead
Sprigs of plum by the corner of the wall_x000D_ _x000D_ Are blooming alone in the cold;_x000D_ _x000D_ If not for the subtle fragrance drifting over_x000D_ _x000D_ Who could tell this from snow on the boughs.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The beauty of nature can bring joy and hope even in cold, harsh conditions.
In this quote, Wang Anshi reflects on the resilience of nature through the image of blooming plum flowers, which symbolize beauty and life amid winter's coldness. The subtle fragrance they emit reminds us that even in bleak times, there can be joy and hope, highlighting the importance of recognizing beauty in our surroundings.
Themes
NatureResilienceBeautyHopeWinter
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used in a speech about the importance of appreciating nature.
Similar quotes
Eating is an environmental act.
Alice WatersRead
As we kill nature, we are killing ourselves, and God incarnate as the world as well.
Masanobu FukuokaRead
Nature is not always tricked in holiday attire, but the same scene which yesterday breathed perfume and glittered as for the frolic of the nymphs, is overspread with melancholy today. Nature always wears the colors of the spirit.
Ralph Waldo EmersonRead
I believe climate change is real and that we can save our planet while creating millions of good-paying clean energy jobs.
Hillary ClintonRead
I choose to listen to the river for a while, thinking river thoughts, before joining the night and the stars.
Edward AbbeyRead