Wooing, wedding, and repenting is as a Scotch jig, a…
“Wooing, wedding, and repenting is as a Scotch jig, a measure, and a cinque-pace: the first suit is hot and hasty like a Scotch jig--and full as fantastical; the wedding, mannerly modest, as a measure, full of state and ancientry; and then comes repentance and with his bad legs falls into the cinque-pace faster and faster, till he sink into his grave.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Life stages progress from passionate beginnings to measured commitment, ending in remorse and decline.
In simple terms: Life moves from excitement to responsibility to regret.
Key Takeaway
Recognize each stage’s rhythm.
Themes
love
marriage
aging
regret
life cycles
Mood
reflective
melancholic
cautious
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- courtship
- wedding planning
- midlife reflection
- end‑of‑life contemplation
Key Concepts
human development
temporal metaphor
social expectations
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you balance passion with prudence?
- What regrets might you avoid by planning ahead?
A Different Perspective
Neglecting reflection can repeat mistakes.