Skip to content
quotesby

About this quote

What does it mean?
It questions if anyone finds joy only in shallow city life, which numbs the natural appreciation for simple things.
In plain terms
Does anyone really like city noise more than nature?
What can you take from it?
City life can dull your natural joy.

Where it applies

  • critique of modernity
  • lifestyle choice

Putting it to work

  • seek nature
  • critique urban values

Questions to consider

  • What brings you real joy?
  • Is the city hardening you?

Another view

City life offers other forms of joy.

More from William Wordsworth

  1. The flower of sweetest smell is shy and lowly.

    Permalink to quote #69
  2. A soul so pitiably forlorn, If such do on this earth abide, May season apathy with scorn, May turn indifference to pride; And still be not unblest- compared Wi…

    Permalink to quote #71
  3. We feel that we are greater than we know.

    Permalink to quote #68

Related quotes

  1. Before the ferry leaves a horse and wagon comes aboard, a brokendown springwagon loaded with flowers, driven by a little brown man with high cheekbones. Jimmy …

    John Dos PassosJohn Dos Passos quote #4
  2. 'How many of us are able to distinguish between the odors of noon and midnight, or of winter and summer, or of a windy spell and a still one? If man is so gene…

    Lin YutangLin Yutang quote #7
  3. My heart is torn with the sound of raucous voices, They shout from the slums, from the streets, from the crowded places, And tunes from the hurdy-gurdy that co…

    Conrad AikenConrad Aiken quote #8