Why faintest thou! I wander'd till I died. Roam on! The light we sought is shining still. Dost thou ask proof? Our tree yet crowns the hill, Our Scholar travels yet the loved hillside.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- The speaker encourages the listener to keep searching for light, pointing to the tree and scholar as proof it exists.
- In plain terms
- Keep looking for the light, the tree and scholar show it is still there.
- What can you take from it?
- Persistent signs of truth can encourage continued searching.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What convinces you to keep searching?
- Can small signs prove big truths?
Another view
The proof offered is symbolic and may not convince someone who doubts.
More from Matthew Arnold
Hear it, O Thyrsis, still our tree is there!- Ah, vain! These English fields, this upland dim, These brambles pale with mist engarlanded, That lone, sky-pointi…
Permalink to quote #92 The sea is calm tonight. The tide is full, the moon lies fair Upon the straits;-on the French coast the light Gleams and is gone; the cliffs of England stand, …
Permalink to quote #94 Yes, thou art gone! and round me too the night In ever-nearing circle weaves her shade. I see her veil draw soft across the day, I feel her slowly chilling bre…
Permalink to quote #91
Related quotes
The passion for seeking the truth for truth's sake...can be kept alive only if we continue to seek the truth for truth's sake.
Franz BoasFranz Boas quote #1 The principle itself of dogmatic religion, dogmatic morality, dogmatic philosophy, is what requires to be rooted out; not any particular manifestation of that …
John Stuart MillJohn Stuart Mill quote #1 You can't talk of the dangers of snake poisoning and not mention snakes.
C. Everett KoopC. Everett Koop quote #1