WILLIAM BLAKE
Having so far presented
some quotes from Shakespeare, it is time we thought of other poets /
playwrights. What comes to my mind is from William Blake –a well-known poet.
His quotes deliver quite important messages that can be understood by critical
grasp of the statements. Unlike Shakespearean ‘constructs’ those from Blake
look plain and clear. But they are not to be treated any less. Simpler a
statement complex could be the idea that it drives home. We shall consider some
of his ‘quotes’.
‘The bird –a nest, the spider a web, man –friendship ‘
Several ideas are
blended in this utterance If nest /web are places for safe living of
bird/spider, it is friendship that provides a safe, warm association for men.
Every form of life on this planet leads a congenial life by making ‘homes’ by
innate instinct; so should men do and be a part of nature.
‘The road of excess leads to the palace of wisdom’
Real learning and
acquisition of ‘knowledge’ accrue from constant efforts far and wide without
confining one’s self to any specified limit.
‘A truth that’s told with bad intent beats all the lies that you can
invent’
At times a lie could be
true and be useful, but a truth told with a bad intention is worse than a lie
and does not help any cause.
It simply suggests ‘just say the truth without
contorting it’.
‘It is easier to forgive an enemy than to forgive a friend’.
The acts of betrayal by
a trusted friend are far more hurting /humiliating than are such betrayals by
those we know as enemies. So, forgiving an enemy for betrayal is easier than
forgiving a friend for the same act.
‘A fool sees not the same tree, the wise man sees’
This quote draws a line
of segregation between a wise man and an unwise man. It implies that a wise man
can assess various facets of an issue while the unwise can only see what
appears and cannot visualize other hidden issues/dimensions.
I trust our viewers
enjoy these quotes.
To continue……