Ale Quote by Gerard Manley Hopkins
“I consider my selfbeing ... that taste of myself, of I and me above and in all things, which is more distinctive than the taste of ale or alum, more distinctive than the smell of walnutleaf or camphor, and is incommunicable by any means to another man.”
About This Quote
Source Poem: “The Windhover” (1902) and other works
The poet describes a unique, ineffable personal essence that surpasses ordinary sensory experiences, defying ordinary description.
In simple terms: Personal essence is beyond ordinary description.
Recognize the uniqueness of your inner self.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- personal reflection
- creative writing
- therapy
- spiritual practice
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you express your inner uniqueness?
- Can language ever fully capture self?
Such self‑descriptions can be inaccessible to others, limiting shared understanding.