"Nothing good bursts forth all at once. The lightning may dart out of a black cloud; but the day sends his bright heralds before him, to prepare the world for his coming"
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This quote by Augustus Hare conveys a powerful message about the nature of development, development, and the unveiling of favorable outcomes. Hare starts by asserting, "Nothing good bursts forth all at once", advising us that beneficial achievements and meaningful modifications often require time, perseverance, and progressive development. Unlike unexpected and unpredictable phenomena such as lightning, which can emerge quickly and without caution, most good ideas in life develop through a series of actions and preliminary phases.
When Hare discusses "the lightning may dart out of a black cloud", he is alluding to the idea that sudden, striking events, while significant, are not normally the way positive, sustainable developments manifest. Lightning is ephemeral, a short lived burst of energy that, though effective, rapidly lessens. By contrast, Hare's metaphor for the daybreak, which refers to "the day sends his bright heralds before him", depicts a steady, expected, and steady unveiling of light, symbolizing positive change or accomplishment.
In this example, the "brilliant heralds" are the incremental steps or signs that precede a result, comparable to how dawn's subtle shifts in light declare the arrival of a new day. These heralds prepare the world, setting the stage for an improvement from darkness to light, from night to day. It recommends the idea that real development is often heralded by small yet significant modifications that lead the way for larger impacts.
Eventually, Hare's quote motivates patience and perseverance. It advises us we need to not be prevented by the relatively slow pace of progress or the lack of immediate results. Instead, we are motivated to recognize and value the smaller, preparatory changes that add to long-lasting success or improvement. By appreciating these gradual developments, we can better prepare ourselves for the eventual arrival of something truly beneficial.
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