If thou be one whose heart the holy forms Of young…
““If thou be one whose heart the holy forms Of young imagination have kept pure, Stranger! henceforth be warned; and know, that pride, Howe'er disguised in its own majesty, Is littleness; that he, who feels contempt For any living thing, hath faculties Which he has never used; that thought with him Is in its infancy. The man, whose eye Is ever on himself, doth look on one, The least of nature's works, one who might move The wise man to that scorn which wisdom holds Unlawful, ever. O, be wiser thou! Instructed that true knowledge leads to love, True dignity abides with him alone Who, in the silent hour of inward thought, Can still suspect, and still revere himself, In lowliness of heart.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
True knowledge transforms pride into humility, urging love and reverence for all life, especially the smallest creations
In simple terms: Pride is small; knowledge brings love and humility
Key Takeaway
Cultivate humility and respect for all beings
Themes
humility
knowledge
love
reverence
Mood
reflective
inspirational
Type
philosophical
ethical
When to use this quote
- personal reflection
- environmental activism
- teaching children
- leadership development
Key Concepts
self-awareness
spiritual growth
ethics
Questions to Reflect On
- How does recognizing one's own pride change behavior?
- What small actions can demonstrate reverence for nature?
A Different Perspective
Pride can be deeply ingrained, making change difficult