02-26-2014, 05:23 AM
Tom,
I think maybe you are missing the idea of this, which is obviously my fault. I mention this because you state that you would rather it be "content" instead of "contend", which seems to be an error in your understanding of what I am trying to say, again, my fault, not yours. Let me delineate the basic points, and then should you wish to make more comments I would greatly appreciate them, as this sonnet has me quite bedeviled.
This is suppose to be advice from a father to his child as he/she goes out into the world (and yes there is a touch of Hamlet here, but without the satire). The father is advising the child what kind of people to not waste his/her time on. There are three types.
1. "the untrained mind" is the provincial yokel, who knows nothing of the wider world, but has very fixed ideas about how things are. The word dogma comes to mind. This person is puffed up with false pride thinking they know everything there is worth knowing. The "scalpel" refers to reasoned debate, under which the person dogma can not stand up, and so it does the equivalent of putting one's fingers in one's ears, and and loudly repeating nah, nah ,nah.
2. The second person is the type that is so easily offended, that just about anything offends them in some way. There defense to keep from hearing anything they don't want to here is to withdraw, and cease to engage in the conversation.
3. The third kind is the person who has an answer for everything, despite that it is usually circular logic. Of course this matter little as they are the type to dominate the conversation, and ignoring any input for anyone one else. Thus:
"With strong walls thick that let no mote inside,
Your not invited to their carnival,
No worth to lean against the gate and bide."
The last two lines are the conclusion, it refers to those who do not really want wisdom, just quick answers without having to work for them. Thus: (this was the original version with the "To" added at the front of the second line, but it threw the meter off.
"The coin of proverbs can’t be give’ or spent,
To those who desire wisdom only to rent."
=---------------------------------------------------------------------
In the end, I fear I may have to do as you suggest, and just drop the sonnet form, or maybe Leanne will droop by and put it to rights.
Anyway, thanks for your comments, and if you would like to comment further please feel free to do so, sarcastic or otherwise.
Dale
I think maybe you are missing the idea of this, which is obviously my fault. I mention this because you state that you would rather it be "content" instead of "contend", which seems to be an error in your understanding of what I am trying to say, again, my fault, not yours. Let me delineate the basic points, and then should you wish to make more comments I would greatly appreciate them, as this sonnet has me quite bedeviled.
This is suppose to be advice from a father to his child as he/she goes out into the world (and yes there is a touch of Hamlet here, but without the satire). The father is advising the child what kind of people to not waste his/her time on. There are three types.
1. "the untrained mind" is the provincial yokel, who knows nothing of the wider world, but has very fixed ideas about how things are. The word dogma comes to mind. This person is puffed up with false pride thinking they know everything there is worth knowing. The "scalpel" refers to reasoned debate, under which the person dogma can not stand up, and so it does the equivalent of putting one's fingers in one's ears, and and loudly repeating nah, nah ,nah.
2. The second person is the type that is so easily offended, that just about anything offends them in some way. There defense to keep from hearing anything they don't want to here is to withdraw, and cease to engage in the conversation.
3. The third kind is the person who has an answer for everything, despite that it is usually circular logic. Of course this matter little as they are the type to dominate the conversation, and ignoring any input for anyone one else. Thus:
"With strong walls thick that let no mote inside,
Your not invited to their carnival,
No worth to lean against the gate and bide."
The last two lines are the conclusion, it refers to those who do not really want wisdom, just quick answers without having to work for them. Thus: (this was the original version with the "To" added at the front of the second line, but it threw the meter off.
"The coin of proverbs can’t be give’ or spent,
To those who desire wisdom only to rent."
=---------------------------------------------------------------------
In the end, I fear I may have to do as you suggest, and just drop the sonnet form, or maybe Leanne will droop by and put it to rights.
Anyway, thanks for your comments, and if you would like to comment further please feel free to do so, sarcastic or otherwise.
Dale
How long after picking up the brush, the first masterpiece?
The goal is not to obfuscate that which is clear, but make clear that which isn't.
The goal is not to obfuscate that which is clear, but make clear that which isn't.