--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: So may'st thou live, till like ripe fruit…" description: "\"So may'st thou live, till like ripe fruit thou drop Into thy mother's lap, or be with ease Gathered, not harshly plucked, for death mature: This is old..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b80/john-milton-191_age_so-may-st-thou-live-till-like-ripe-fruit_2334325.jpg" --- # So may'st thou live, till like ripe fruit thou drop Into… ![“So may'st thou live, till like ripe fruit thou drop Into thy mother's lap, or be with ease Gathered, not harshly plucked, for death mature: This is old age; but then thou must outlive Thy youth, thy strength, thy beauty, which will change To withered weak and grey.” quote by John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b80/john-milton-191_age_so-may-st-thou-live-till-like-ripe-fruit_2334325.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b80/john-milton-191_age_so-may-st-thou-live-till-like-ripe-fruit_2334325.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b80/john-milton-191_age_so-may-st-thou-live-till-like-ripe-fruit_2334325.jpg) > “So may'st thou live, till like ripe fruit thou drop Into thy mother's lap, or be with ease Gathered, not harshly plucked, for death mature: This is old age; but then thou must outlive Thy youth, thy strength, thy beauty, which will change To withered weak and grey.” [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. Life progresses from youthful vigor to old age, where one must endure decline after the prime of strength and beauty. **In simple terms:** Youth fades, old age follows. Key Takeaway Accept aging and its changes. Themes mortality aging transience Mood reflective somber Type philosophical poetic When to use this quote - elder care - retirement planning - health monitoring - intergenerational support Key Concepts human condition impermanence life cycle Questions to Reflect On - How do you honor the wisdom of aging? - What practices sustain vitality in later years? A Different Perspective Aging is not inevitable; some may maintain vitality longer. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Age](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/age/) [Age Thou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/age-thou-1596668/) [Aging](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/aging/) [Death](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/death/) [Ease](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ease/) [Fruit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fruit/) [Fruit Thou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fruit-thou-3363491/) [Grey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/grey/) [Lap](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lap/) [Mature](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mature/) [May](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/may/) [Mother](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mother/) [Old age](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/old-age/) [Parenting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/parenting/) [Ripe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ripe/) [Ripe fruit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ripe-fruit/) [St Thou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/st-thou-507682/) [Thou Live](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thou-live-904041/) [Thou Outlive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thou-outlive-5627037/) [Weak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/weak/) [Withered](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/withered/) [Youth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/youth/) ## Related quotes > [So may'st thou live, till like ripe fruit thou drop Into thy mother's lap.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/so-may-st-thou-live-till-like-ripe-fruit-thou-drop-into-thy-mother-s/) [John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) > [Thou O Spirit, that dost prefer Before all Temples th' upright heart and pure, Instruct me, for Thou know'st; Thou from the first Wast…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/thou-o-spirit-that-dost-prefer-before-all-temples-th-upright-heart/) [John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) > [Behold a tree. Does it not speak to us thusly: 'Don't you see that God is not working himself into a frenzy in me?…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clarence-jordan/behold-a-tree-does-it-not-speak-to-us-thusly-don-t-you-see-that-god/) [Clarence Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clarence-jordan/) > [“Have I no harvest but a thorn To let me bloud, and not restore What I have lost with cordiall fruit? Sure there was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-herbert/have-i-no-harvest-but-a-thorn-to-let-me-bloud-and-not-restore-what-i/) [George Herbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-herbert/) > [Short is the life of those who possess great accomplishments, and seldom do they reach a good old age. 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They go their way like gods, Great over bent backs, Sure of hired fists, Trusting in the power Which…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertolt-brecht/o-blindness-of-the-great-they-go-their-way-like-gods-great-over-bent/) [Bertolt Brecht](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertolt-brecht/) > [O youth whose hope is high, Who dost to Truth aspire, Whether thou live or die, O look not back nor tire.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-bridges/o-youth-whose-hope-is-high-who-dost-to-truth-aspire-whether-thou-live/) [Robert Bridges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-bridges/) > [No man can live happily who regards himself alone, who turns everything to his own advantage. Thou must live for another, if thou wishest…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seneca-the-younger/no-man-can-live-happily-who-regards-himself-alone-who-turns/) [Seneca the Younger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seneca-the-younger/) > [So mayst thou live, dear! many years, In all the bliss that life endears](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-hood/so-mayst-thou-live-dear-many-years-in-all-the-bliss-that-life-endears/) [Thomas Hood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-hood/) > [Let no pleasure tempt thee, no profit allure thee, no persuasion move thee, to do anything which thou knowest to be evil; so shalt…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/let-no-pleasure-tempt-thee-no-profit-allure-thee-no-persuasion-move/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [Receive, dear friend, the truths I teach, So shalt thou live beyond the reach Of adverse Fortune's pow'r; Not always tempt the distant deep,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace/receive-dear-friend-the-truths-i-teach-so-shalt-thou-live-beyond-the/) [Horace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace/) > [Death hangs over thee, While thou still live, while thou may, do good.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-aurelius/death-hangs-over-thee-while-thou-still-live-while-thou-may-do-good/) [Marcus Aurelius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-aurelius/) > [Wit thou well that I will not live long after thy days.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-malory/wit-thou-well-that-i-will-not-live-long-after-thy-days/) [Thomas Malory](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-malory/) ## 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 Age quotes > [I need a bath." He chuckled. "You smell of smoke, as do I." The duke turned, leaning heavily on his cane. "Jameson, open the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-hawkins/i-need-a-bath-he-chuckled-you-smell-of-smoke-as-do-i-the-duke-turned/) [Karen Hawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-hawkins/) > [While we've youth in our hearts, we can never grow old.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oliver-wendell-holmes-jr/while-we-ve-youth-in-our-hearts-we-can-never-grow-old/) [Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-wendell-holmes-jr/) > [It's easier to change a law than an age-old mentality. Deep down, many prejudices, many hostilities, many fears persist. But if we take a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dacia-maraini/it-s-easier-to-change-a-law-than-an-age-old-mentality-deep-down-many/) [Dacia Maraini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dacia-maraini/) > [When I first started writing, when I was 15, I would go to work with people and they would tell me my lyrics were…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sabrina-claudio/when-i-first-started-writing-when-i-was-15-i-would-go-to-work-with/) [Sabrina Claudio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sabrina-claudio/) > [Real people speak in my books about the main events of the age, such as the war, the Chernobyl disaster, and the downfall of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/svetlana-alexievich/real-people-speak-in-my-books-about-the-main-events-of-the-age-such/) [Svetlana Alexievich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/svetlana-alexievich/) > [As a child I was very involved with sports and I knew at age 9 that I wanted to be an Olympic champion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marion-jones/as-a-child-i-was-very-involved-with-sports-and-i-knew-at-age-9-that-i/) [Marion Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marion-jones/) > [If there is any period one would desire to be born in, is it not the age of Revolution; when the old and the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/if-there-is-any-period-one-would-desire-to-be-born-in-is-it-not-the/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [By making conscious choices in our behavior and where we focus our attention, we can transform our experience of our body, decrease our biological…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deepak-chopra/by-making-conscious-choices-in-our-behavior-and-where-we-focus-our/) [Deepak Chopra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deepak-chopra/) > [I am just enjoying the dream of being Milan coach at the age of 40.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gennaro-gattuso/i-am-just-enjoying-the-dream-of-being-milan-coach-at-the-age-of-40/) [Gennaro Gattuso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gennaro-gattuso/) > [Age is an accumulation of life and loss. 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That was a hard work.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-kaulitz/we-have-started-to-make-music-at-age-seven-that-was-a-hard-work/) [Bill Kaulitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-kaulitz/) [Browse all 18,948 Age quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/age/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "So may'st thou live, till like ripe fruit thou drop Into thy mother's lap, or be with ease Gathered, not harshly plucked, for death mature: This is old age; but then thou must outlive Thy youth, thy strength, thy beauty, which will change To withered weak and grey.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "John Milton" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/so-may-st-thou-live-till-like-ripe-fruit-thou-drop-into-thy-mother-s-2/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Age" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/so-may-st-thou-live-till-like-ripe-fruit-thou-drop-into-thy-mother-s-2/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b80/john-milton-191_age_so-may-st-thou-live-till-like-ripe-fruit_2334325.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b80/john-milton-191_age_so-may-st-thou-live-till-like-ripe-fruit_2334325.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b80/john-milton-191_age_so-may-st-thou-live-till-like-ripe-fruit_2334325.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“So may'st thou live, till like ripe fruit thou drop Into thy mother's lap, or be with ease Gathered, not…” — 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": "So may'st thou live, till like...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/so-may-st-thou-live-till-like-ripe-fruit-thou-drop-into-thy-mother-s-2/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/so-may-st-thou-live-till-like-ripe-fruit-thou-drop-into-thy-mother-s-2/#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 } } ] } ```