One impulse from a vernal wood May teach you more of man, Of moral evil and of good, Than all the sages can.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- A single experience in spring can reveal more about human morality than all the wisdom of ancient scholars.
- In plain terms
- One moment in a spring forest teaches more about right and wrong than books from sages.
- What can you take from it?
- Personal experience in nature teaches deep moral truths.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What natural scene changed your view on right and wrong?
- Can nature teach ethics better than books?
Another view
Not everyone finds moral clarity in natural settings.
More from William Wordsworth
Come forth into the light of things, Let Nature be your teacher.
Permalink to quote #95 O Reader! had you in your mind Such stores as silent thought can bring, O gentle Reader! you would find A tale in everything.
Permalink to quote #97 Nor less I deem that there are Powers Which of themselves our minds impress; That we can feed this mind of ours In a wise passiveness.
Permalink to quote #94
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