Minds are "like smooth paper never writ upon, / When folded up, by some impression / Marks will remain it never had before, / And ne're return to former smoothness more."

— Howard, Sir Robert (1626-1698)

Author

Howard, Sir Robert (1626-1698)

Work Title

The Vestal Virgin, Or, The Roman Ladies [from Four New Plays, Viz: The Surprisal, The Committee, Comedies. The Indian-Queen, The Vestal-Virgin, Tragedies. As they were Acted by His Majesties Servants at the Theatre-Royal. Written by the Honourable Sir Robert Howard]

Place of Publication
London
Publisher
printed for Henry Herringham
Date
1665
Metaphor
Minds are "like smooth paper never writ upon, / When folded up, by some impression / Marks will remain it never had before, / And ne're return to former smoothness more."
Metaphor in Context
VER.
Does heaven on all mankinde such good bestow?
My Fortune's excellent, or they are so:
I grow strangely concern'd, some unknown cause
A secret warmth into my bosom draws;
I blush I know ot why; my confus'd sense
Whispers, that shame can live with innocence;
Minds like smooth paper never writ upon,
When folded up, by some impression
Marks will remain it never had before,
And ne're return to former smoothness more.
Categories
Writing::Blank Paper
Provenance
Reading Maclean's John Locke and English Literature, (1962), p. 33
Theme
Blank Slate
Date of Entry
03/27/2005

The Mind is a Metaphor is authored by Brad Pasanek, Assistant Professor of English, University of Virginia.