Abstinence sows sand all over The ruddy limbs and flaming hair, But desire gratified Plants fruits of life and beauty there.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Self-denial leads to barrenness, while fulfilling desire brings life.
- In plain terms
- Avoiding desires makes life empty, but satisfying them brings beauty.
- What can you take from it?
- Denying natural desires often harms vitality more than gratification.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Is denying natural desires ever truly beneficial?
Another view
Unrestricted gratification can also lead to negative consequences.
More from William Blake
The sword sung on the barren heath, The sickle in the fruitful field; The sword he sung a song of death, But could not make the sickle yield.
Permalink to quote #88 If you trap the moment before it's ripe, The tears of repentance you'll certainly wipe; But if once you let the ripe moment go You can never wipe off the tears…
Permalink to quote #90 Love to faults is always blind, Always is to joys inclined, Lawless, winged, and unconfined, And breaks all chains from every mind.
Permalink to quote #87
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