I have seen A curious child, who dwelt upon a tract Of inland ground, applying to his ear The convolutions of a smooth-lipped shell; To which, in silence hushed, his very soul Listened intensely; and his countenance soon Brightened with joy; for from within were heard Murmurings, whereby the monitor expressed Mysterious union with its native sea.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- A child listens to a shell, feeling a deep, joyful connection with the sea.
- In plain terms
- The child hears the sea inside a shell and feels joy.
- What can you take from it?
- Nature can evoke profound inner peace.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- When do you feel most connected to nature?
- How can you cultivate that feeling?
Another view
The experience is personal and may not be universal.
More from William Wordsworth
We live by Admiration, Hope and Love.
Permalink to quote #183 One in whom persuasion and belief Had ripened into faith, and faith become A passionate intuition.
Permalink to quote #185 Lost in a gloom of uninspired research.
Permalink to quote #182
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