Book Quote by Henry Wotton
“You meaner beauties of the night, That poorly satisfy our eyes More by your number than your light; You common people of the skies, What are you when the sun shall rise? This was printed with music as early as 1624, in East's Sixth Set of Books, and is found in many manuscripts.”
About This Quote
Source Poem: East's Sixth Set of Books, c. 1624
The quote reflects on the fleeting, superficial allure of nighttime beauty that cannot satisfy deeper desires, especially when daylight reveals its true nature.
In simple terms: Night beauty is shallow and fades at sunrise.
Key Takeaway
Seek lasting value over fleeting appeal.
Themes
beauty
transience
illusion
perception
Mood
melancholic
contemplative
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- nighttime contemplation
- art criticism
- personal reflection
- literary analysis
Key Concepts
aesthetics
ephemerality
human desire
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you value fleeting versus lasting beauty?
- What does sunrise symbolize for you?
A Different Perspective
It may overstate the insignificance of nighttime inspiration.
