Quote by Sir Walter Raleigh, The Silent L
PASSIONS are liken'd best to floods and streams: The shallow murmur, but the deep are dumb; So, when affection yields discourse, it seemsThe bottom is but shallow whence they come. They that are rich in words, in words discover That they are poor in that which makes a lover.
Summary
This quote suggests that passionate feelings are best compared to floods and streams. Shallow emotions tend to express themselves loudly and frequently, while deep emotions remain quiet and hidden. When people openly talk about their affections, it implies that their feelings are superficial and lack true depth. Those who are eloquent and verbose about love often reveal their poverty in the genuine experience of being in love. In essence, the quote emphasizes that true love is not measured by the abundance of words, but by the depth of feeling and connection between lovers.