A LETTER BY JOHN KEATS

 

A LETTER BY JOHN KEATS

            The English poet John Keats was born on 31 October 1795 in London  and died on 23 February 1821 in Rome, Italy. He was a patient of tuberculosis. As a poet, he belonged to the second generation of romantic poets, along with Lord Byron (1788-1824) and Percy Bysshe Shelley (1792-1822). He was also  influenced by John Milton, Edmund Spenser, William Hazlitt and Virgil.

            Keats was a poet of beauty. He said: A thing of beauty is a joy for ever. The last two lines of His Ode On A Grecian Urn ends with the following two lines:

            Beauty is truth, truth beauty –that is all

            Ye know on earth, and all ye need to know. 

Keats believed in the permanence of art and according to him art is a form of beauty and truth.

 

            One of his most remarkable letters reads is quoted below. It was addressed to his close friend, confidant, and correspondent Benjamin Bailey (1791-1853) on November 22, 1817.

            …I am certain of nothing but of the holiness of the Heart’s affections and the truth of Imagination ----What the imagination seizes as Beauty must be truth ---whether it existed before or not ---for I have the same Idea of all our Passions as of Love they are all in their sublime, creative of essential beauty…The Imagination may be compared to Adam’s dream ---he awoke and found it truth. I am the more zealous in this affair, because I have never yet been able to perceive how anything can be known for truth by consequitive reasoning…we shall enjoy ourselves here after by having what we called happiness  on Earth repeated in a finer tone and so repeated----And yet such a fate can only befall those who delight in sensation rather than hunger as you do after Truth----Adam’s dream will do here and seems to be a conviction that Imagination and its empyreal reflection is the same as human Life and its spiritual repetition.”

 

            Finally, here are some of his  famous quotes :

·        “Heard melodies are sweet, but those unheard are sweeter.”

·        The poetry of earth is never dead.

·        Nothing ever becomes real till it is experienced.

·        I could be martyred for my religion. Love is my religion and I could die for that.

·        In all things of nature there is something of the marvellous.

·        Nature never hurries. Atom by atom, little by little, she achieves her work.

·        Knowing tees, I understand the meaning of patience, knowing grass I can appreciate persistence.

                                    *******

G. R. Kanwal

1^st March 2026

 

 

 

 

 

ANGER

 

                ANGER

            “Anger” is loss of temperament. It is violent, offensive, and destructive. It can seldom be constructive or creative. It loses friends and gains foes and opponents.

            Some synonyms of anger are: rage, fury, indignation, wrath, vexation, ire, outrage, fret and vexation. .

            Religions forbid outburst of anger. In Hinduism it is one of the six internal enemies and a gateway to hell; in Buddhism it is known as one of the three “unwholesome roots” or poisons that cause suffering, hinder spiritual progress, and damage not only the one who entertains anger  but also others. Islam believes that  it is a temptation from Satan (Shaytan) and controlling it is a sign of gigantic strength and piety; in Sikhism anger destroys inner peace and separates the soul from God;  in Christianity although it is considered a natural human emotion, it becomes dangerous when it leads to sinful actions, bitterness, or revenge.

            Some remedies are: when angry, breathe deeply; count 1 to 10; respond calmly not impulsively; get away from the triggering situation; take a brisk walk; listen to some soothing music; use humour that lightens the mood.

            In his book The Path To Tranquility His Holiness The Dalai Lama says: I myself still occasionally become irritated and angry and use harsh words towards others. Then, a few moments later when the anger has subsided, I feel embarrassed; the negative words are already spoken, and there is no way to take them back. Although the words have been uttered and the sound of the voice has ceased to exist, their impact still lives on. Hence, the only thing I can do is to go to the person and apologize, isn’t that right.”

            The Chinese philosopher Confucius (died 479 BC) said: When anger rises, think of the consequences.

            According to the Roman statesman, stoic philosopher and dramatist (Died 65 in Rome, Italy): Anger, if not restrained , is frequently more hurtful to us than the injury that provokes it.

            Finally, these words of Plato the Greek philosopher (5^th century BCE) : He best keeps from anger who remembers that God is always looking upon him.

                                                            *******

G.R.Kanwal

28 February 2026   

 

              

SOME HOUGHTS ON BOOKS

 

          SOME HOUGHTS ON BOOKS

          Writing about types of books, the English writer and essayist Thomas de Quincey (1785-1859) distinguishes between the “literature of knowledge” and the “ literature of power.”

          According to him the former instructs by providing facts that quickly become obsolete when new facts emerge.

          The literature of power endures for a long time. It moves emotions and invigorates human sympathy. The books produced by it are almost immortal. They allow readers to ascend to new levels through exercises of the heart and spirit.

          Thomas de Quincey was an opium eater. His biography is known as Confessions of an English Opium Eater.

          The English essayist and philosopher Francis Bacon (1561-1626) said: Some books are to be tasted; others swallowed; and some few to be chewed and digested. The last category in this quotation belongs to the literature of power.

          Here are some interesting thoughts about books:

1. Books are the legacies that genius leaves to mankind, to be delivered down from generation to generation , as presents to those that are yet unborn.---The English poet and essayist Joseph Addison (1672-1719).
2. The English priest and teacher Richard de bury (1287-1345) said: Books are masters who instruct us without rods or ferules, without words or anger, without bread or money. If you approach them, they are not asleep; if you seek them, they do not hide;  if you blunder, they do not scold; if you are ignorant, they do not laugh at you.  
3. The American clergy Talbot Wilson Chambers (1819-96) said: Books are standing counselors and preachers, always at hand, and always disinterested; having this advantage over oral instructors, that they are ready to repeat their lesson as often as we please.

          Finally, this Italian proverb: There is no worse robber than a bad book.

                                                *******

G.R.Kanwal

26 February 2026            

 

SPEAKING ABOUT PRAISE

 

          SPEAKING ABOUT PRAISE

            “Praise” is appreciation. It is recognition of some good work done by a person. God is all praiseworthy for creating such a beautiful world with infinite contents.  

            Some synonyms of praise are: commendation, approbation, applause, acclaim, approval, compliments, congratulation, eulogy, ovation, extolment, adoration, thanks, etc.

            Praise   must not be denied to those who deserve it. Be liberal while praising. Don’t be miserly. When you praise somebody, he praises you for your kind -heartedness.

            Praise for God is equivalent to worship. All prayers are full of praise for the mercies bestowed by Him. The English poet Joseph Addison (1672-1719)  says in the beginning of a poem : “ When all thy mercies, O my God, my rising soul surveys, transported with the view, I’m lost in wonder, love and praise. Unburdened comforts to my soul thy tender care bestowed, before my infant heart conceived from whom hose comforts flowed.”

            Self-praise is expressing commendation for oneself. According to a proverb it is no commendation. However, according to another view it is a healthy way of affirming our value and achievements without diminishing the worth of others.

            The English writer Sydney Smith (1771-1845) said: Among the smaller duties of life, I hardly know any one more important than that of not praising where praise is not due. Reputation is one of the prizes for which men contend: It produces more labour and more talent than twice the wealth of a country could ever rear up. It is the coin of genius , and it is the imperious duty of every man to bestow it with the most scrupulous justice and the wisest economy.

               Praise should be fulsome, not half-hearted. The English poet Alexander Pope (1688-1744) said: Damn with faint praise.

                                                            *********

G.R.Kanwal

25 Febuary 2026

 

                                                           

 

HOLD FAST YOUR DREAMS

 

HOLD FAST YOUR DREAMS

            “Hold Fast Your Dreams” is a poem written by the American poet and librarian Louise Driscoll. She was born in 1875 and died in 1957. She is known for contributing poems and stories to Poetry magazine from 1913 to 1929. One of her poems “The Metal Checks” was awarded the highest prize in Poetry magazine’s contest in 1914.

                     There are many people including poets who do not hold dreams in high esteem. According to them dreams are products of unrealistic thinking and wastage of time. Louise Driscoll holds the opposite view. In her ideology, dreams are worth holding fast within our hearts. They should be kept in a secret spot where they may be allowed to thrive and grow without any doubt and fear. She suggests that “we should think still of lovely things that are not true, and let wish and magic work at will in us.“

                        The whole poem is inspirational. It makes the readers bold, optimistic and visionary.               

                        Here is the full text:

 Hold fast your dreams!

Within your heart

Keep one still, secret spot

Where dreams may go,

And, sheltered so,

May thrive and grow

Where doubt and fear are not.

O keep a place apart,

Within your heart,

For little dreams to go!

 

Think still of lovely things that are not true.

Let wish and magic work at will in you.

Be sometimes blind to sorrow. Make believe!

Forget the calm that lies

In disillusioned eyes.

Though we all know that we must die,

Yes you and I

May walk like gods and be

Even now at home in immortality.

 

We see so many ugly things—

Deceits and wrongs and quarrelings;

We know, alast we know

How quickly fade

The color in the west,

The bloom upon the flower,

The bloom upon the breast

And youth's blind hour.

Yet keep within your heart

A place apart

Where little dreams may go,

May thrive and grow.

Hold fast—hold fast your dreams!

                                                                        *********

G. R. Kanwal

24 February 2026

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LET ME TELL YOU

 

LET ME TELL YOU

1.     Two wrongs do not make one right.

2.     To return good for evil is a virtue.

3.     Ill deeds are doubled with an evil word.

4.     Sorrow clarifies the mind, steadies it, and forces it to weigh things correctly.

5.     It is a rare and difficult attainment to grow old gracefully and happily.

6.     Greed is a curse.

7.     Never judge a work of art by its defects.

8.     The best part of beauty is that which no picture can express.

9.     The fewer the words, the better the prayer.

10.                        Be charitable and indulgent to everyone but thyself.

11.                        While you live, keep a good tongue in your  head.

12.                         The foundation of true joy is in the conscience.

13.                        Without consistency there is no moral strength.

14.                        Want of desire is the greatest riches.

15.                         A rich dress adds but little to the beauty of a person.

16.                        Beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder.

17.                        Thought is deeper than all speech; feeling  deeper than all thought .

18.                         Habits are good servants but bad masters.

19.                        Ideas control the world.

20.                        A proud man is seldom a grateful man, for he never thinks he gets as much as he deserves.                                         

                              *********

G.R.Kanwal

22^nd February 2026

 

CARDINAL VIRTUES AND DEADLY SINS

 

          CARDINAL VIRTUES AND DEADLY SINS

            Virtue is defined as uprightness, goodness, morality, chastity, rectitude, merit , efficacy, excellence , and integrity. A virtuous person is good, morally sound, righteous, honest, blameless, and exemplary.

             Religiously there are seven cardinal virtues. They are: prudence, justice, fortitude. temperance, faith, hope, and charity.              

            In another version, humility, charity, chastity, kindness, patience , temperance and diligence are seven heavenly virtues.

            According to a famous quote every virtue gives a man a degree of advantage in some kind; honesty gives a man a good report; justice, estimation; prudence, respect; courtesy and liberality, affection; temperance gives health; fortitude, a quiet mind, not to be moved by any adversity.

            The English divine Sydney Smith (1771-1845) said: Virtue is so delightful, whenever it is perceived that men have found it their interest to cultivate manners, which are, in fact, the appearances of certain virtues, and now we are come to love the sign better than the thing signified , and to prefer manners with virtue, to virtue without manners.

            The French mathematician and physicist Pascal  (1623-1662) insisted  that the virtue of a man ought to be measured not by his extraordinary exertions, but by his everyday conduct.

            The antonyms of cardinal  virtues are seven  deadly sins. They are: Pride, greed, lust, envy, gluttony, wrath, and sloth.

            Pride stands for vanity and arrogance; greed for avarice and covetousness; lust for intense desire; envy for jealousy; gluttony for excessive consumption; wrath for anger and rage; and sloth for laziness and spiritual apathy.

            To conclude : The Roman poet Juvenal (Born 55 . in Aquino, Italy) believed that bad men hate sin through fear of punishment; good men hate sin through their love of virtue.

                                                ********

·        G.R.Kaanwal

·        21 February 2026