--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Alas! What boots it with uncessant care…" description: "\"Alas! What boots it with uncessant care To tend the homely slighted Shepherd's trade, And strictly meditate the thankless muse; Were it not better done..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/667/john-milton-191_alas_alas-what-boots-it-with-uncessant-care-t_1033466.png" --- # Alas! What boots it with uncessant care To tend the homely… ![“Alas! What boots it with uncessant care To tend the homely slighted Shepherd's trade, And strictly meditate the thankless muse; Were it not better done as others use, To sport with Amaryllis in the shade, Or with the tangles of Neaera's hair? Fame is the spur that the clear spirit doth raise (That…” quote by John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/667/john-milton-191_alas_alas-what-boots-it-with-uncessant-care-t_1033466.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/667/john-milton-191_alas_alas-what-boots-it-with-uncessant-care-t_1033466.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/667/john-milton-191_alas_alas-what-boots-it-with-uncessant-care-t_1033466.png) > “Alas! What boots it with uncessant care To tend the homely slighted Shepherd's trade, And strictly meditate the thankless muse; Were it not better done as others use, To sport with Amaryllis in the shade, Or with the tangles of Neaera's hair? Fame is the spur that the clear spirit doth raise (That last infirmity of noble mind) To scorn delights, and live laborious days; But the fair guerdon when we hope to find, And think to burst out into sudden blaze, Comes the blind Fury with th'abhorred shears, And slits the thin-spun life.” [John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Fame drives the noble mind to reject simple joys, leading to relentless toil and eventual downfall. **In simple terms:** Pursuing fame can cause suffering and loss of simple pleasures. Key Takeaway Balance ambition with humility. Themes ambition fame suffering Mood somber philosophical Type poetic reflective When to use this quote - career advancement - artistic creation - public scrutiny - ethical dilemmas Key Concepts hubris transience moral conflict Questions to Reflect On - What values should guide ambition? - How can one find meaning beyond fame? A Different Perspective Fame may bring temporary success but long‑term emptiness. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Blind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/blind/) [Care](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/care/) [Delight](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/delight/) [Fame](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fame/) [Fury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fury/) [Hair](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hair/) [Infirmity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/infirmity/) [Mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mind/) [Muse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/muse/) [Noble](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/noble/) [Shade](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shade/) [Shears](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shears/) [Shepherds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shepherds/) [Spirit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/spirit/) [Sports](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sports/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Trade](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/trade/) ## Related quotes > [(That last infirmity of noble mind) To scorn delights, and live laborious days; But the fair guerdon when we hope to find, And think…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/that-last-infirmity-of-noble-mind-to-scorn-delights-and-live/) [John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) > [Fame is the spur that the clear spirit doth raise. That last infirmity of noble mind. To scorn delights, and live laborious days.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/fame-is-the-spur-that-the-clear-spirit-doth-raise-that-last-infirmity/) [John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) > [In spite of its romantic frisson, the position of muse is very vague and largely thankless for the muse herself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katie-roiphe/in-spite-of-its-romantic-frisson-the-position-of-muse-is-very-vague/) [Katie Roiphe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katie-roiphe/) > [Fame is the spur that the clear spirit doth raise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/fame-is-the-spur-that-the-clear-spirit-doth-raise/) [John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) > [And sing to those that hold the vital shears; And turn the adamantine spindle round, On which the fate of gods and men is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/and-sing-to-those-that-hold-the-vital-shears-and-turn-the-adamantine/) [John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) > [He that cometh to seek after knowledge, with a mind to scorn, shall be sure to find matter for his humour, but no matter…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-bacon/he-that-cometh-to-seek-after-knowledge-with-a-mind-to-scorn-shall-be/) [Francis Bacon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-bacon/) > [ A good shepherd shears his flock, not flays them. \[Lat., Boni pastoris est tondere pecus non deglubere.\] ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suetonius/a-good-shepherd-shears-his-flock-not-flays-them-lat-boni-pastoris-est/) [Suetonius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suetonius/) > [The statesman shears the sheep; the politician skins them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/austin-o-malley/the-statesman-shears-the-sheep-the-politician-skins-them/) [Austin O'Malley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/austin-o-malley/) > [We're left with so little to go on. Only the present is full enough to seem complete, and even that is an optical illusion.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ivan-vladislavi/we-re-left-with-so-little-to-go-on-only-the-present-is-full-enough-to/) [Ivan Vladislavic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ivan-vladislavi/) > [It is no disparagement to the garden to say it will not fence and weed itself, nor prune its own fruit trees, nor roll…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/it-is-no-disparagement-to-the-garden-to-say-it-will-not-fence-and/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Garden shears would be wonderful. Also an ax. I bet axes were awesome for working out aggression. Probably fantastic for building upper body strength…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kylie-scott/garden-shears-would-be-wonderful-also-an-ax-i-bet-axes-were-awesome/) [Kylie Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kylie-scott/) > [The hands of every clock are shears, trimming us away scrap by scrap, and every time piece with a digital readout blinks us towards…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-koontz/the-hands-of-every-clock-are-shears-trimming-us-away-scrap-by-scrap/) [Dean Koontz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-koontz/) > [My life had taken a stranger turn than I could've ever imagined. What was I doing on this path? Where was I headed really?…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kami-garcia/my-life-had-taken-a-stranger-turn-than-i-could-ve-ever-imagined-what/) [Kami Garcia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kami-garcia/) > [The finished product is not finished when the actor is. The work is completed by a pair of shears.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josef-von-sternberg/the-finished-product-is-not-finished-when-the-actor-is-the-work-is/) [Josef von Sternberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josef-von-sternberg/) > [MARRIAGE, Is much like a pair of shears, so joined so the parts cannot be separated, often moving in opposite directions, yet always punishing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikhil-saluja/marriage-is-much-like-a-pair-of-shears-so-joined-so-the-parts-cannot/) [Nikhil Saluja](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikhil-saluja/) ## More by John Milton > [Love-quarrels oft in pleasing concord end.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/love-quarrels-oft-in-pleasing-concord-end/) [John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) > [What better can we do than prostrate fall before Him reverent, and there confess humbly our faults, and pardon beg with tears watering the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/what-better-can-we-do-than-prostrate-fall-before-him-reverent-and/) [John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) > [And, when night Darkens the streets, then wander forth the sons Of Belial, flown with insolence and wine.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/and-when-night-darkens-the-streets-then-wander-forth-the-sons-of/) [John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) > [And, re-assembling our afflicted powers, consult how we may henceforth most offend.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/and-re-assembling-our-afflicted-powers-consult-how-we-may-henceforth/) [John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) > [Yet hold it more humane, more heav'nly, first, By winning words to conquer willing hearts, And make persuasion do the work of fear.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/yet-hold-it-more-humane-more-heav-nly-first-by-winning-words-to/) [John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) > [O nightingale, that on yon bloomy spray Warblest at eve, when all the woods are still; Thou with fresh hope the lover's heart dost…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/o-nightingale-that-on-yon-bloomy-spray-warblest-at-eve-when-all-the/) [John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) > [The debt immense of endless gratitude, So burthensome, still paying, still to owe; Forgetful what from him I still receivd, And understood not that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/the-debt-immense-of-endless-gratitude-so-burthensome-still-paying/) [John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) > [Knowledge forbidden? Suspicious, reasonless. Why should their Lord Envy them that? Can it be sin to know, Can it be death? And do they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/knowledge-forbidden-suspicious-reasonless-why-should-their-lord-envy/) [John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) > [There is no truth sure enough to justify persecution.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/there-is-no-truth-sure-enough-to-justify-persecution/) [John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) > [These eyes, tho' clear To outward view of blemish or of spot, Bereft of light, their seeing have forgot, Nor to their idle orbs…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/these-eyes-tho-clear-to-outward-view-of-blemish-or-of-spot-bereft-of/) [John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) > [New Presbyter is but Old Priest writ Large.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/new-presbyter-is-but-old-priest-writ-large/) [John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) > [And what is faith, love, virtue unassayed Alone, without exterior help sustained?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/and-what-is-faith-love-virtue-unassayed-alone-without-exterior-help/) [John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) > [This is servitude, To serve th'unwise, or him who hath rebelled Against his worthier, as thine now serve thee, Thyself not free, but to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/this-is-servitude-to-serve-th-unwise-or-him-who-hath-rebelled-against/) [John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) > [Let us seek Death, or he not found, supply With our own hands his office on ourselves; Why stand we longer shivering under fears,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/let-us-seek-death-or-he-not-found-supply-with-our-own-hands-his/) [John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) > [They are the troublers, they are the dividers of unity, who neglect and don't permit others to unite those dissevered pieces which are yet…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/they-are-the-troublers-they-are-the-dividers-of-unity-who-neglect-and/) [John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) [Explore all 966 John Milton quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) ## More Alas quotes > [“Muchos de los ángeles de Dios no tienen alas...”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jos-n-harris/muchos-de-los-ngeles-de-dios-no-tienen-alas/) [José N. Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jos-n-harris/) > [We are all potentially such sick men. The sanest and best of us are of one clay with lunatics and prison-inmates. And whenever we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-james/we-are-all-potentially-such-sick-men-the-sanest-and-best-of-us-are-of/) [William James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-james/) > [Alas, you don't need monsters for monstrous deeds to be accomplished.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zygmunt-bauman/alas-you-don-t-need-monsters-for-monstrous-deeds-to-be-accomplished/) [Zygmunt Bauman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zygmunt-bauman/) > [Time, time - that is our greatest master! Alas, like Ugolino, time devours its own children.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hector-berlioz/time-time-that-is-our-greatest-master-alas-like-ugolino-time-devours/) [Hector Berlioz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hector-berlioz/) > [Removing prejudices is, alas! too often removing the boundary of a delightful near prospect in order to let in a shockingly extensive one.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sir-fulke-greville/removing-prejudices-is-alas-too-often-removing-the-boundary-of-a/) [Sir Fulke Greville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sir-fulke-greville/) > [Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-pharcellus-church/yes-virginia-there-is-a-santa-claus-he-exists-as-certainly-as-love/) [Francis Pharcellus Church](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-pharcellus-church/) > [Alas, Postumus, the fleeting years slip by, nor will piety give any stay to wrinkles and pressing old age and untamable death.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace/alas-postumus-the-fleeting-years-slip-by-nor-will-piety-give-any-stay/) [Horace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace/) > [Sensible Catholics have for generations been ignoring the views on contraception held by reactionary old men in the Vatican, but alas, since it is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-c-grayling/sensible-catholics-have-for-generations-been-ignoring-the-views-on/) [A.C. Grayling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-c-grayling/) > [The flesh is sad, alas, and I have read all the books.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/st-phane-mallarm/the-flesh-is-sad-alas-and-i-have-read-all-the-books/) [Stephane Mallarme](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/st-phane-mallarm/) > [Alas! all music jars when the soul's out of tune.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miguel-de-cervantes/alas-all-music-jars-when-the-soul-s-out-of-tune/) [Miguel de Cervantes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miguel-de-cervantes/) > [In spite of the honestest efforts to annihilate my I-ity, or merge it in what the world doubtless considers my better half, I still…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-welsh-carlyle/in-spite-of-the-honestest-efforts-to-annihilate-my-i-ity-or-merge-it/) [Jane Welsh Carlyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-welsh-carlyle/) > [The dumpling is indeed of more ancient institution, and of foreign origin; but alas, what were those dumplings? Nothing but a few lentils sodden…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-arbuthnot/the-dumpling-is-indeed-of-more-ancient-institution-and-of-foreign/) [John Arbuthnot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-arbuthnot/) > [“World is so beautiful, but alas! There are so many assholes.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/m-f-moonzajer/world-is-so-beautiful-but-alas-there-are-so-many-assholes/) [M.F. Moonzajer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/m-f-moonzajer/) > [Ideally a painter (and, generally, an artist) should not become conscious of his insights: without taking the detour through his reflective processes, and incomprehensibly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rainer-maria-rilke/ideally-a-painter-and-generally-an-artist-should-not-become-conscious/) [Rainer Maria Rilke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rainer-maria-rilke/) > [Alas! we makeA ladder of our thoughts, where angels step,But sleep ourselves at the foot: our high resolvesLook down upon our slumbering acts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/letitia-elizabeth-landon/alas-we-makea-ladder-of-our-thoughts-where-angels-step-but-sleep/) [Letitia Elizabeth Landon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/letitia-elizabeth-landon/) Browse all 453 Alas quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Alas! What boots it with uncessant care To tend the homely slighted Shepherd's trade, And strictly meditate the thankless muse; Were it not better done as others use, To sport with Amaryllis in the shade, Or with the tangles of Neaera's hair? Fame is the spur that the clear spirit doth raise (That last infirmity of noble mind) To scorn delights, and live laborious days; But the fair guerdon when we hope to find, And think to burst out into sudden blaze, Comes the blind Fury with th'abhorred shears, And slits the thin-spun life.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "John Milton" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/alas-what-boots-it-with-uncessant-care-to-tend-the-homely-slighted/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Alas" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/alas-what-boots-it-with-uncessant-care-to-tend-the-homely-slighted/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/667/john-milton-191_alas_alas-what-boots-it-with-uncessant-care-t_1033466.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/667/john-milton-191_alas_alas-what-boots-it-with-uncessant-care-t_1033466.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/667/john-milton-191_alas_alas-what-boots-it-with-uncessant-care-t_1033466.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Alas! What boots it with uncessant care To tend the homely slighted Shepherd's trade, And strictly meditate…” — John Milton", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "John Milton", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Alas! What boots it with uncessant...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/alas-what-boots-it-with-uncessant-care-to-tend-the-homely-slighted/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/alas-what-boots-it-with-uncessant-care-to-tend-the-homely-slighted/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```