Alas ! How few of Nature's faces are left alone to gladden…
““Alas ! How few of Nature's faces are left alone to gladden us with their beauty ! The cares, and sorrows, and the hungerings, of the world, change them as they change hearts; and it is only when those passions sleep, and have lost their hold for ever, that the troubled clouds pass off, and leave Heaven's surface clear. It is a common thing for the countenances of the dead, even in that fixed and rigid state, to subside into the long-forgotten expression of sleeping infancy, and settle into the very look of early life; so calm, so peaceful, do they grow again, that those who knew them in their happy childhood, kneel by the coffin's side in awe, and see the Angel even upon earth.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
When the world’s turmoil subsides, the dead’s peaceful expression reminds us of innocence and hope, offering a glimpse of heavenly calm amidst grief.
In simple terms: Peaceful faces of the dead echo childhood innocence, calming grief.
Key Takeaway
Find solace in remembering innocence.
Themes
grief
memory
tranquility
Mood
somber
reflective
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- funeral visits
- reflecting on loss
- seeking comfort
- honoring ancestors
Key Concepts
Romanticism
mortality
innocence
Questions to Reflect On
- How does remembering childhood innocence help you cope with loss?
- Can peace be truly found in mourning?
A Different Perspective
Even in calm, grief can resurface, challenging the notion of lasting peace.