Quote by Matthew Arnold
O born in days when wits were fresh and clear, And life ran gaily as the sparkling Thames; Before this strange disease of modern life, With its sick hurry, its divided aims, Its heads o'ertax'd, its palsied hearts, was rife.
Summary
This quote reflects on a time when life was simpler, minds were sharp, and joy flowed like the sparkling river Thames. It contrasts that idyllic past with the present state of affairs, characterized by a modern disease of hurried and fragmented living. It speaks to the strain placed on our minds and hearts, overwhelmed and weakened by the pressures and distractions of contemporary life.