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"Love, on the contrary, sprouts usually up in the richest and noblest Minds; but there unless nicely watched, pruned, and cultivated, and carefully kept clear of those vicious Weeds which are too apt to surround it, it branches forth into Wildness and Disorder, produces nothing desirable, but choaks up and kills whatever is good and noble in the Mind where it so abounds."

— Fielding, Henry (1707-1754)

Author

Amelia

Place of Publication

London

Publisher

Printed for A. Millar

Date

1752

Metaphor

"Love, on the contrary, sprouts usually up in the richest and noblest Minds; but there unless nicely watched, pruned, and cultivated, and carefully kept clear of those vicious Weeds which are too apt to surround it, it branches forth into Wildness and Disorder, produces nothing desirable, but choaks up and kills whatever is good and noble in the Mind where it so abounds."

Metaphor in Context

This Digression may appear impertinent to some Readers; we could not however avoid the Opportunity of offering the above Hints; since of all Passions there is none against which we should so strongly fortify ourselves as this, which is generally called Love: for no other lays before us, especially in the tumultuous Days of Youth, such sweet, such strong, and almost irresistible Temptations; none hath produced in private Life such fatal and lamentable Tragedies; and what is worst of all, there is none to whose Poison and Infatuation the best of Minds are so liable. Ambition scarce ever produces any Evil, but when it reigns in cruel and savage Bosoms; and Avarice seldom flourishes at all but in the basest and poorest Soil. Love, on the contrary, sprouts usually up in the richest and noblest Minds; but there unless nicely watched, pruned, and cultivated, and carefully kept clear of those vicious Weeds which are too apt to surround it, it branches forth into Wildness and Disorder, produces nothing desirable, but choaks up and kills whatever is good and noble in the Mind where it so abounds. In short, to drop the Allegory, not only Tenderness and Good-nature, but Bravery, Generosity, and every Virtue are often made the Instruments of effecting the most atrocious Purposes of this all-subduing Tyrant. (II.6.1)