Skip to content
quotesby

About this quote

What does it mean?
Even ancient, winding paths are not harsh or empty; they are covered with flowers.
In plain terms
Old roads may seem rough, but they are full of beauty.
What can you take from it?
Look for hidden beauty in things that seem difficult.

Where it applies

  • exploring old towns
  • reading history

Putting it to work

  • take a walk in historic districts
  • visit ancient gardens

Questions to consider

  • What does 'flowers' represent to you?
  • Can we find beauty in challenging situations?

Another view

The metaphor may overlook real hardships of the past.

More from Thomas Warton

  1. We are apt to form romantic and exaggerated notions about the moral innocence of our ancestors. Ages of ignorance and simplicity are thought to be ages of puri…

    Permalink to quote #2
  2. All human race, from China to Peru, Pleasure, howe'er disguis'd by art, pursue.

    Permalink to quote #4
  3. O! what's a table richly spread Without a woman at its head!

    Permalink to quote #1

Related quotes

  1. England's sun was slowly setting o'er the hill-tops far away, Filling all the land with beauty at the close of one sad day; And its last rays kissed the forehe…

    Rose Hartwick ThorpeRose Hartwick Thorpe quote #1
  2. [Descriptio Britanniae] Campis late pansis collibusque amoeno situ locatis, praepollenti culturae aptis, montibus alternandis animalium pastibus maxime covenie…

    GildasGildas quote #1
  3. I cannot but think that he who finds a certain proportion of pain and evil inseparably woven up in the life of the very worms, will bear his own share with mor…

    Thomas Henry HuxleyThomas Henry Huxley quote #1