Amor Quote by George Santayana
““Lucretius, I. 936-47: Veluti pueris absinthia tetra medentes Cum dare conantur, prius oras pocula circura Contingunt mellis dulci flavoque liquore, Ut puerorum aetas improvida ludificetur Labrorum tenus, interea perpotet amarum Absinthi laticem, deceptaque non capiatur, Sed potius tali pacto recreata valescat: Sic ego nunc ... volui tibi suaviloquenti Carmine Pierio rationem exponere nostram, Et quasi musaeo dulci contingere melle. [2] Lucretius, i. 922-34, 948-50: Acri Percussit thyrso laudis spes magna meum cor Et simul incussit suavem mi in pectus amorem Musarum, quo nunc instinctus mente vigenti Avia Pieridum peragro loca nullius ante Trita solo: iuvat integros accedere fontes, Atque haurire; iuvatque novos decerpere flores, Insignemque meo capiti petere inde coronam, Unde prius nulli velarint tempora musae. Primum, quod magnis doceo de rebus, et artis Religionum animum nodis exsolvere pergo: Deinde, quod obscura de re tam lucida pango Carmina, musaeo contingens cuncta lepore… Si tibi forte animum tali ratione tenere Versibus in nostris possem, dum perspicis omnem Naturam rerum, qua constet compta figura.””
About This Quote
Source Poem: Lucretius, De Rerum Natura, Book I, lines 936‑947
The poet contrasts youthful indulgence in sweet wine with the deeper, more lasting nourishment of poetic inspiration and intellectual pursuit.
In simple terms: Youth seeks pleasure; poetry offers lasting growth.
Key Takeaway
Seek deeper meaning beyond fleeting pleasures.
Themes
philosophy
literature
growth
Mood
reflective
inspirational
Type
philosophical
literary
When to use this quote
- academic study
- creative writing
- personal reflection
Key Concepts
Epicureanism
poetic inspiration
intellectual curiosity
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you balance immediate enjoyment with long‑term development?
- What pursuits give you lasting nourishment?
A Different Perspective
Pleasure can distract from lasting fulfillment.
![“Lucretius, who follows [Epicurus] in denouncing love, sees no harm in sexual intercourse provided it is divorced from passion.” quote by Lucretius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/2a5/lucretius-1632_divorced_lucretius-who-follows-epicurus-in-denoun_1708197.jpg)
