There was no blood upon her maiden robes Sunn'd by those orient skies; But round about the circles of the globes Of her keen And in her raiment's hem was traced in flame WISDOM, a name to shake All evil dreams of power - a sacred name. And when she spake, Her words did gather thunder as they ran, And as the lightning to the thunder Which follows it, riving the spirit of man, Making earth wonder, So was their meaning to her words. No sword Of wrath her right arm whirl'd, But one poor poet's scroll, and with his word She shook the world.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Wisdom shakes the world not with weapons but with the power of a poet's words that reveal truth.
- In plain terms
- Words of wisdom change the world more than swords can.
- What can you take from it?
- Wisdom changes the world through words not weapons.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- How do words change the world for you?
- What wisdom do you carry?
Another view
It downplays the physical power often required for real change.
More from Alfred (Lord) Tennyson
Thus truth was multiplied on truth, the world Like one great garden show'd, And thro' the wreaths of floating dark up-curl'd, Rare sunrise flow'd. And Freedom …
Permalink to quote #49 A still small voice spake unto me, 'Thou art so full of misery, Were it not better not to be?' Then to the still small voice I said; 'Let me not cast in endles…
Permalink to quote #51 So many minds did gird their orbs with beams, Tho' one did fling the fire; Heaven flow'd upon the soul in many dreams Of high desire.
Permalink to quote #48
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