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Thou therefore on these Herbs, and Fruits, and Flow'rs…

“Thou therefore on these Herbs, and Fruits, and Flow'rs Feed first, on each Beast next, and Fish, and Fowl, No homely morsels, and whatever thing The Scyth of Time mows down, devour unspar'd, Till I in Man residing through the Race, His thoughts, his looks, words, actions all infect, And season him…” quote by John Milton
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““Thou therefore on these Herbs, and Fruits, and Flow'rs Feed first, on each Beast next, and Fish, and Fowl, No homely morsels, and whatever thing The Scyth of Time mows down, devour unspar'd, Till I in Man residing through the Race, His thoughts, his looks, words, actions all infect, And season him thy last and sweetest prey.””

John Milton

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

All of nature, including humans, is consumed by time, which ultimately devours everything, even the divine.

In simple terms: Time devours all.

Key Takeaway

Accept impermanence.

Themes

nature time mortality divine ineuffering

Mood

melancholic reflective

Type

literary philosophical

When to use this quote

  • environmental stewardship
  • spiritual reflection
  • literary analysis
  • personal growth

Key Concepts

theology philosophy ecology

Questions to Reflect On

  • How do you confront the fleeting nature of life?
  • What can you cherish knowing everything fades?
A Different Perspective

Time’s inevitability can inspire urgency.

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