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 of woe.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Acting too early causes regret, while missing the right moment causes deeper sorrow.
- In plain terms
- Don't rush or wait too long; timing matters to avoid regret.
- What can you take from it?
- Timing actions correctly prevents unnecessary regret.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- How do we know when a moment is ripe?
Another view
Relying on intuition for timing can be unreliable.
More from William Blake
Abstinence sows sand all over The ruddy limbs and flaming hair, But desire gratified Plants fruits of life and beauty there.
Permalink to quote #89 Then old Nobodaddy aloft Farted and belched and coughed, And said, 'I love hanging and drawing and quartering Every bit as well as war and slaughtering.'
Permalink to quote #91 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
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