For other things mild Heav'n a time ordains, And disapproves that care, though wise in show, That with superfluous burden loads the day, And when God sends a cheerful hour, refrains.
Interpretation
This quote emphasizes the importance of balance and the need to let go of burdensome worries to embrace joyful moments.
John Milton suggests that while life presents challenges and responsibilities, it is wise to avoid overloading oneself with unnecessary concerns. Instead, one should recognize when divine or fortunate moments occur and be willing to partake in them without the weight of excessive anxiety or rigid adherence to duty.
In practice
During a motivational speech to remind people to enjoy life and balance their responsibilities.
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.
Everything that frees our spirit without giving us control of ourselves is ruinous.
Dad had a way of disarming people because he never really directly attacked them. He might attack a principle, but he never attacked the individual.
I have never thought of myself as a good writer. Anyone who wants reassurance of that should read one of my first drafts. But I'm one of the world's great rewriters.
When you are unhappy, you are just coming in touch with your own boundaries. Turn the whole situation into a prayer & you will walk through it.
I grew up Presbyterian. Presbyterians thought the Methodists were wrong. Catholics thought all Protestants were wrong. The Jews thought the Christians were wrong. So, what I'm financing is humility. I want people to realize that you shouldn't think you know it all.
One of the best pieces of advice I ever got was from a horse master. He told me to go slow to go fast. I think that applies to everything in life. We live as though there aren't enough hours in the day but if we do each thing calmly and carefully we will get it done quicker and with much less stress.
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