Famous quote by Barry Cornwall

"So mightiest powers buy deepest calms are fed, And sleep, how oft, in things that gentlest be!"

About this Quote

Barry Cornwall’s poetic lines evoke a paradoxical idea: the suggestion that true strength and the most profound tranquility are inextricably linked, as if power itself is nourished by serenity rather than strife. When he writes, “So mightiest powers by deepest calms are fed,” he distills the concept that inner calm and gentleness provide sustenance to the greatest forms of strength. This reflects a philosophy found across both nature and human experience, where what appears externally tranquil often harbors immense, controlled power beneath the surface. Oceans, for example, may seem placid but possess depths tumultuous and strong enough to reshape continents. Giants of character or influence frequently exude a stillness or peace that underlies, or even enables, their decisive actions and capacities for profound effect.

The companion phrase, “And sleep, how oft, in things that gentlest be!” directs attention to the paradoxical resting place of gentleness as a cradle for renewal and vitality. Sleep, the ultimate state of vulnerability and repose, resides not in imposing strength but in environments or states that are soft, kind, or delicate. This can be interpreted as an argument that the world’s greatest restorative or generative forces lie not in intensity or aggression, but in gentleness, the quiet, tolerant, nurturing qualities found within people, nature, or situations. A sleeping child, a pet curled in the sun, or even the hush of nature at dawn illustrate how life’s continuance and growth depend on moments and settings of stillness and peace.

Corollary to Cornwall’s message is a critique of the superficial view that might is always loud or violent. Instead, he articulates a vision where the gentlest elements sustain life’s most potent energies and where silent shadows nurture growth more than blinding light. Thus, true power and deep rest dwell not in force or turmoil, but in calmness and kindness, offering insight into the hidden sources of strength in the world and within ourselves.

More details

TagsPower

About the Author

Barry Cornwall This quote is written / told by Barry Cornwall between November 21, 1787 and October 5, 1874. He was a famous Poet from England. The author also have 11 other quotes.
Go to author profile

Similar Quotes

J. G. Holland, Novelist
E. Joseph Cossman, Businessman
William Moulton Marston, Psychologist