Venus, take my votive glass; Since I am not what I was, What from this day I shall be, Venus, let me never see.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- The speaker prays to Venus to never see his future self since he has already changed from who he was.
- In plain terms
- I am not the person I used to be, so let me never see what I will become.
- What can you take from it?
- Avoid facing a future self that is worse than the present.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Are you afraid of who you will become?
- Does time always degrade value?
Another view
It assumes the future self is inevitably worse without evidence.
More from Matthew Prior
To John I owed great obligation; But John, unhappily, thought fit To publish it to all the nation: Sure John and I are more than quit.
Permalink to quote #11 Nobles and heralds, by your leave, Here lies what once was Matthew Prior; The son of Adam and of Eve: Can Bourbon or Nassau claim higher?
Permalink to quote #13 Till their own dreams at length decive 'em, And oft repeating, they believe 'em.
Permalink to quote #10
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