Beauty Quote by Gerard Manley Hopkins
“When we hew or delve: After-comers cannot guess the beauty been.”
About This Quote
Source Poem: The Windhover, 1877
The speaker suggests that later observers cannot fully appreciate the beauty of something that has been shaped or explored by earlier hands.
In simple terms: Later people often miss the true beauty of something already crafted.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and value the work already done.
Themes
beauty
perception
legacy
Mood
reflective
thoughtful
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- art criticism
- historical analysis
- personal reflection
Key Concepts
aesthetic appreciation
temporal perspective
Questions to Reflect On
- How does prior work influence current appreciation?
- Can beauty be fully understood without context?
A Different Perspective
The quote assumes a static notion of beauty, ignoring evolving tastes.
![“Even brahmins [people belonging to the caste who follow ritual practices] will not delve in the past and yet these intellectuals keep remembering, ‘This person cheated me. This man called me stupid!’ The flow of speech is like the flow of water. How can we ask it, ‘How did you come here tumbling…” quote by Dada Bhagwan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/655/dada-bhagwan-31_brahmins_even-brahmins-people-belonging-to-the-ca_2395149.jpg)
