Skip to content
quotesby

How full and rich a world Theirs to inhabit is- Sweet scent of grass and bloom, Playmates' glad symphony, Cool touch of western wind, Sunshine's divine caress. How should they know or feel They are in darkness? But, oh, the miracle! If a Redeemer came, Laid finger on their eyes- One touch and what a world, New-born in loveliness!

Israel Zangwill#7

BeautyEducationEnlightenmentInnocencePerceptionPerspective

About this quote

What does it mean?
Children in darkness perceive only their immediate surroundings until enlightenment reveals beauty.
In plain terms
Ignorance hides beauty from children until they are enlightened.
What can you take from it?
Perspective changes how we see the world.

Where it applies

  • discussing child development
  • exploring education
  • reflecting on awareness

Putting it to work

  • educate children
  • practice mindfulness
  • share knowledge

Questions to consider

  • What blinds us to beauty?
  • How do we learn to see?

Another view

It assumes darkness is purely negative rather than protective.

More from Israel Zangwill

  1. An Edward's England spat us out - a band Foredoomed to redden Vistula or Rhine, And leaf-like toss with every wind malign. All mocked the faith they could not …

    Permalink to quote #6
  2. What a dark world-who knows?- Ours to inhabit is! One touch and what a strange Glory might burst on us, What a hid universe!

    Permalink to quote #8
  3. Oh, for the simple life, For tents and starry skies!

    Permalink to quote #5

Related quotes

  1. Beauty, thou wild fantastic ape Who dost in every country change thy shape!

    Abraham CowleyAbraham Cowley quote #28
  2. Trust a girl of sixteen for knowing well if she is pretty; concerning her plainness she may be ignorant.

    Elizabeth GaskellElizabeth Gaskell quote #1
  3. As I came down the Highgate Hill, The Highgate Hill, the Highgate Hill, As I came down the Highgate Hill I met the sun's bravado, And saw below me, fold on fol…

    Henry Howarth BashfordHenry Howarth Bashford quote #1