--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Man looks aloft, and with erected eyes…" description: "\"Man looks aloft, and with erected eyes Beholds his hereditary skies.\" — Ovid" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ef3/ovid-276_eye_man-looks-aloft-and-with-erected-eyes-be_2407343.png" --- # Man looks aloft, and with erected eyes Beholds his… ![“Man looks aloft, and with erected eyes Beholds his hereditary skies.” quote by Ovid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ef3/ovid-276_eye_man-looks-aloft-and-with-erected-eyes-be_2407343.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ef3/ovid-276_eye_man-looks-aloft-and-with-erected-eyes-be_2407343.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ef3/ovid-276_eye_man-looks-aloft-and-with-erected-eyes-be_2407343.png) > “Man looks aloft, and with erected eyes Beholds his hereditary skies.” [Ovid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ovid/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The line celebrates humanity’s aspiration to reach the heavens, reflecting pride in our lineage and destiny. **In simple terms:** Human ambition looks upward. Key Takeaway Aim high, honor your heritage. Themes aspiration heritage vision Mood inspirational poetic Type literary philosophical When to use this quote - career goals - artistic pursuits - cultural identity - personal growth Key Concepts human nature mythology self‑realization Questions to Reflect On - What does “hereditary skies” mean to you? - How balance pride with humility? A Different Perspective Ambition can blind to limits. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Sky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sky/) [Space](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/space/) [Star gazing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/star-gazing/) ## Related quotes > [Thus, while the mute creation downward bend Their sight, and to their earthly mother ten, Man looks aloft; and with erected eyes Beholds his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dryden/thus-while-the-mute-creation-downward-bend-their-sight-and-to-their/) [John Dryden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dryden/) > [Never trust a man who looks elsewhere when he kisses you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/never-trust-a-man-who-looks-elsewhere-when-he-kisses-you/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“What happens if you walk into a church and try to find out what a man looks like?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-driscoll/what-happens-if-you-walk-into-a-church-and-try-to-find-out-what-a-man/) [Mark Driscoll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-driscoll/) > [Every man looks at his wood-pile with a kind of affection.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/every-man-looks-at-his-wood-pile-with-a-kind-of-affection/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [A man always looks good in a dark suit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-kinnear/a-man-always-looks-good-in-a-dark-suit/) [Greg Kinnear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-kinnear/) > [This is how a man looks when he's deciding that the risk of death is better than the risk of change.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-king/this-is-how-a-man-looks-when-he-s-deciding-that-the-risk-of-death-is/) [Stephen King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-king/) > [A pessimist is a man who looks both ways when he crosses the street.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurence-j-peter/a-pessimist-is-a-man-who-looks-both-ways-when-he-crosses-the-street/) [Laurence J. Peter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurence-j-peter/) > [I hate a man who looks dirty.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carmen-dell-orefice/i-hate-a-man-who-looks-dirty/) [Carmen Dell'Orefice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carmen-dell-orefice/) > [Describe your perfect man who looks like me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-tosh/describe-your-perfect-man-who-looks-like-me/) [Daniel Tosh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-tosh/) > [Every women deserves a man who looks at her every day like its the first time he saw her.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/itsme867/every-women-deserves-a-man-who-looks-at-her-every-day-like-its-the/) Itsme867 > [“The more a man looks at a thing, the less he can see it, and the more a man learns a thing, the less…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/g-k-chesterton/the-more-a-man-looks-at-a-thing-the-less-he-can-see-it-and-the-more-a/) [G.K. Chesterton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/g-k-chesterton/) > [“For a moment he said nothing, then he reached over and traced a line down her cheek with his finger. "When a man looks…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pamela-clare/for-a-moment-he-said-nothing-then-he-reached-over-and-traced-a-line/) [Pamela Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pamela-clare/) > [Study finds that a man looks into a womans eyes for 8.2 seconds if he is attracted to her, 4.5 seconds if he is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/azgraybebly-joslan/study-finds-that-a-man-looks-into-a-womans-eyes-for-8-2-seconds-if-he/) Azgraybebly Joslan > [A woman, like a cross-eyed man, looks one way, but goes another--hence her mysteriousness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/austin-o-malley/a-woman-like-a-cross-eyed-man-looks-one-way-but-goes-another-hence/) [Austin O'Malley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/austin-o-malley/) > [The way a man looks at himself in a mirror will tell you if he can ever care about anyone else.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rita-rudner/the-way-a-man-looks-at-himself-in-a-mirror-will-tell-you-if-he-can/) [Rita Rudner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rita-rudner/) ## More by Ovid > [Every woman thinks herself attractive; even the plainest is satisfied with the charms she deems that she possesses.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ovid/every-woman-thinks-herself-attractive-even-the-plainest-is-satisfied/) [Ovid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ovid/) > [Suppressed grief suffocates, it rages within the breast, and is forced to multiply its strength.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ovid/suppressed-grief-suffocates-it-rages-within-the-breast-and-is-forced/) [Ovid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ovid/) > [Honesty, by evil fortune tried, Finds in adversity the seed of praise.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ovid/honesty-by-evil-fortune-tried-finds-in-adversity-the-seed-of-praise/) [Ovid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ovid/) > [It is some alleviation to ills we cannot cure to speak of them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ovid/it-is-some-alleviation-to-ills-we-cannot-cure-to-speak-of-them/) [Ovid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ovid/) > [ A mind conscious of right laughs at the falsehoods of rumour. \[Lat., Conscia mens recti famae mendacia risit.\] ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ovid/a-mind-conscious-of-right-laughs-at-the-falsehoods-of-rumour-lat/) [Ovid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ovid/) > [Time is generally the best doctor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ovid/time-is-generally-the-best-doctor/) [Ovid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ovid/) > [It is convenient that there be gods, and, as it is convenient, let us believe there are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ovid/it-is-convenient-that-there-be-gods-and-as-it-is-convenient-let-us/) [Ovid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ovid/) > [I hate a woman who offers herself because she ought to do so, and cold and dry thinks of her sewing when making love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ovid/i-hate-a-woman-who-offers-herself-because-she-ought-to-do-so-and-cold/) [Ovid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ovid/) > [The sea's vast depths lie open to the fish; Wherever the breezes blow the bird may fly; So to the brave man every land's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ovid/the-sea-s-vast-depths-lie-open-to-the-fish-wherever-the-breezes-blow/) [Ovid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ovid/) > [Rare is the virtue that's not ruled by Fortune, That stands unshaken even when Fortune flees.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ovid/rare-is-the-virtue-that-s-not-ruled-by-fortune-that-stands-unshaken/) [Ovid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ovid/) > [Thus all things altered. Nothing dies. And here and there the unbodied spirit flies.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ovid/thus-all-things-altered-nothing-dies-and-here-and-there-the-unbodied/) [Ovid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ovid/) > [How little is the promise of the child fulfilled in the man.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ovid/how-little-is-the-promise-of-the-child-fulfilled-in-the-man/) [Ovid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ovid/) > [Judgement of beauty can err, what with the wine and the dark.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ovid/judgement-of-beauty-can-err-what-with-the-wine-and-the-dark/) [Ovid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ovid/) > [Leave war to others; 'tis Protesilaus' part of love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ovid/leave-war-to-others-tis-protesilaus-part-of-love/) [Ovid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ovid/) > [Remove but the temptations of leisure, and the bow of Cupid will lose its effect.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ovid/remove-but-the-temptations-of-leisure-and-the-bow-of-cupid-will-lose/) [Ovid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ovid/) [Explore all 771 Ovid quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ovid/) ## More Eye 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/) > [If you take your eye off the ball or lose focus for even a minute you can lose a game against any team.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/felipe-anderson/if-you-take-your-eye-off-the-ball-or-lose-focus-for-even-a-minute-you/) [Felipe Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/felipe-anderson/) > [“He blinked. His eyes fell as he processed her response. Then he lifted his chin and attempted a grin that was almost painfully dejected.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marissa-meyer/he-blinked-his-eyes-fell-as-he-processed-her-response-then-he-lifted/) [Marissa Meyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marissa-meyer/) > [How could anybody confuse truth with beauty, I thought as I looked at him. Truth came with sunken eyes, bony or scarred, decayed. Its…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janet-fitch/how-could-anybody-confuse-truth-with-beauty-i-thought-as-i-looked-at/) [Janet Fitch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janet-fitch/) > [I wrote when I was a young teen, but I didn't put an eye on the available markets until I was seventeen. The next…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-reed/i-wrote-when-i-was-a-young-teen-but-i-didn-t-put-an-eye-on-the/) [Robert Reed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-reed/) > [Changes before your eyes, things you can do and things you can't. My attitude is always let it keep rolling.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terrence-malick/changes-before-your-eyes-things-you-can-do-and-things-you-can-t-my/) [Terrence Malick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terrence-malick/) > [But editors are still the world's readers. And thus the eyes of the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/betsy-lerner/but-editors-are-still-the-world-s-readers-and-thus-the-eyes-of-the/) [Betsy Lerner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/betsy-lerner/) > [Quotations can be valuable, like raisins in the rice pudding, for adding iron as well as eye appeal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peg-bracken/quotations-can-be-valuable-like-raisins-in-the-rice-pudding-for/) [Peg Bracken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peg-bracken/) > [Clearly, when we baptize, our eyes should gaze beyond the baptismal font to the holy temple. The great garner into which the sheaves should…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-a-maxwell/clearly-when-we-baptize-our-eyes-should-gaze-beyond-the-baptismal/) [Neal A. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-a-maxwell/) > [At the end of night, before you close your eyes, be content with what you've done and be proud of who you are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-almond/at-the-end-of-night-before-you-close-your-eyes-be-content-with-what/) [Steve Almond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-almond/) > [Be neither too early in the fashion, nor too long out of it, nor too precisely in it; what custom hath civilized is become…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-quarles/be-neither-too-early-in-the-fashion-nor-too-long-out-of-it-nor-too/) [Francis Quarles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-quarles/) > [It lies around us like a cloud- A world we do not see; Yet the sweet closing of an eye May bring us there…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harriet-beecher-stowe/it-lies-around-us-like-a-cloud-a-world-we-do-not-see-yet-the-sweet/) [Harriet Beecher Stowe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harriet-beecher-stowe/) > [A man cannot speak but he judges himself. With his will or against his will he draws his portrait to the eye of his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/a-man-cannot-speak-but-he-judges-himself-with-his-will-or-against-his/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [She'd read once that if you ran into a bear in the woods you should avoid eye contact and you shouldn't run away, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-ursu/she-d-read-once-that-if-you-ran-into-a-bear-in-the-woods-you-should/) [Anne Ursu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-ursu/) > [Liesel observed the strangeness of her foster father's eyes. They were made of kindness, and silver.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/markus-zusak/liesel-observed-the-strangeness-of-her-foster-father-s-eyes-they-were/) [Markus Zusak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/markus-zusak/) Browse all 16,237 Eye quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Man looks aloft, and with erected eyes Beholds his hereditary skies.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Ovid" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ovid/man-looks-aloft-and-with-erected-eyes-beholds-his-hereditary-skies/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Eye" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ovid/man-looks-aloft-and-with-erected-eyes-beholds-his-hereditary-skies/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ef3/ovid-276_eye_man-looks-aloft-and-with-erected-eyes-be_2407343.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ef3/ovid-276_eye_man-looks-aloft-and-with-erected-eyes-be_2407343.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ef3/ovid-276_eye_man-looks-aloft-and-with-erected-eyes-be_2407343.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Man looks aloft, and with erected eyes Beholds his hereditary skies.” — Ovid", "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": "Ovid", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ovid/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Man looks aloft, and with erected...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ovid/man-looks-aloft-and-with-erected-eyes-beholds-his-hereditary-skies/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ovid/man-looks-aloft-and-with-erected-eyes-beholds-his-hereditary-skies/#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 } } ] } ```