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Afraid Quote by John Dryden

“The winds that never moderation knew, Afraid to blow too much, too faintly blew; Or out of breath with joy, could not enlarge Their straighten'd lungs or conscious of their charge.” quote by John Dryden
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“The winds that never moderation knew, Afraid to blow too much, too faintly blew; Or out of breath with joy, could not enlarge Their straighten'd lungs or conscious of their charge.”

John Dryden

About This Quote

Source Poem: "The Winds", 1690

Excessive restraint stifles expression; joy and effort must be balanced for true impact.

In simple terms: Too much restraint limits impact.

Key Takeaway

Find balance between restraint and expression.

Themes

self expression balance creativity emotion

Mood

melancholic contemplative

Type

literary reflective

When to use this quote

  • writing
  • public speaking
  • performance arts
  • personal growth

Key Concepts

literary analysis psychology artistic freedom

Questions to Reflect On

  • When does restraint become harmful?
  • How can you channel joy without overexertion?
A Different Perspective

Too much restraint can cause missed opportunities.

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