--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It is not for man to rest in absolute…" description: "\"It is not for man to rest in absolute contentment. He is born to hopes and aspirations as the sparks fly upward, unless he has brutified his nature and..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/392/robert-southey-4115_aspiration_it-is-not-for-man-to-rest-in-absolute-co_2320559.png" --- # It is not for man to rest in absolute contentment. He is… ![“It is not for man to rest in absolute contentment. He is born to hopes and aspirations as the sparks fly upward, unless he has brutified his nature and quenched the spirit of immortality which is his portion.” quote by Robert Southey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/392/robert-southey-4115_aspiration_it-is-not-for-man-to-rest-in-absolute-co_2320559.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/392/robert-southey-4115_aspiration_it-is-not-for-man-to-rest-in-absolute-co_2320559.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/392/robert-southey-4115_aspiration_it-is-not-for-man-to-rest-in-absolute-co_2320559.png) > “It is not for man to rest in absolute contentment. He is born to hopes and aspirations as the sparks fly upward, unless he has brutified his nature and quenched the spirit of immortality which is his portion.” [Robert Southey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-southey/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Human nature seeks hope and aspiration; contentment alone is insufficient for the soul's growth. **In simple terms:** People need hope and ambition. Key Takeaway Cultivate aspirations, not just comfort. Themes hope aspiration human nature spiritual growth Mood reflective inspirational Type philosophical motivational When to use this quote - career planning - personal development - creative projects - spiritual practice Key Concepts philosophy existentialism motivation Questions to Reflect On - What aspirations have you neglected? - How does hope drive your actions? A Different Perspective If one suppresses ambition, stagnation may follow. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Aspiration](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/aspiration/) [Contentment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/contentment/) [Dream](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dream/) [Happiness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/happiness/) [Hope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hope/) [Immortality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/immortality/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Nature](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nature/) [Spirit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/spirit/) ## Related quotes > [It is not for man to rest in absolute contentment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-southey/it-is-not-for-man-to-rest-in-absolute-contentment/) [Robert Southey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-southey/) > [“I walk with my hands in my pockets and the streetlights casting halogen halos though the fog, and I can't help thinking this is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seanan-mcguire/i-walk-with-my-hands-in-my-pockets-and-the-streetlights-casting/) [Seanan McGuire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seanan-mcguire/) > [Man may rest in the eternal fitness; he may abide in the everlasting; and roam from the beginning to the end of all creation.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zhuangzi/man-may-rest-in-the-eternal-fitness-he-may-abide-in-the-everlasting/) [Zhuangzi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zhuangzi/) > [“I looked at my watch. 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