Literary notes about Vigor (AI summary)
The word “vigor” is employed across literature to convey a sense of dynamic strength, vitality, and renewal that transcends its mere physical connotations. In historical writings, it often underscores the robust energy of empires and armies, as seen when Gibbon contrasts mental understanding with the intensity of life’s forces ([1], [2], [3], [4]). At times, authors extend its meaning into the realm of nature and creativity, describing the reawakening of trees after a storm or the blossoming of life in spring ([2], [5], [6]). In literary and philosophical contexts, the term encapsulates an inner drive or spirited resolve—whether referring to a rekindled emotional state that enlivens the heart or a creative impulse that infuses art with its characteristic fervor ([7], [8], [9], [10]). This multifaceted use highlights vigor’s capacity to bridge the tangible with the metaphorical, illustrating both the force of human endeavor and the enduring pulse of the natural world ([11], [12]).
- The corruption of his heart was equal to the vigor of his understanding.
— from The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire by Edward Gibbon - The massy trunk was bent to the ground, but no sooner did the hurricane pass away, than it again rose with fresh vigor and more lively vegetation.
— from The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire by Edward Gibbon - By his order, Jovinus led back a part of the army into Italy; and the siege of Aquileia was formed with diligence, and prosecuted with vigor.
— from The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire by Edward Gibbon - Whatever might be the real strength of the Goths, the vigor and success of the expedition were not adequate to the greatness of the preparations.
— from The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire by Edward Gibbon - The tree felt itself stretching and spreading out, while through the root beneath the earth ran the warm vigor of life.
— from Fairy Tales of Hans Christian Andersen by H. C. Andersen - It does not reach the roots of plants; and yet we see the effect of the shower immediately in the increased vigor of the plants.
— from The Declaration of Independence of the United States of America by Thomas Jefferson - He answered with a yelp of joy that brought fresh vigor to my heart.
— from Baron Trump's Marvellous Underground Journey by Ingersoll Lockwood - The vigor of this poem is no less remarkable than its pathos.
— from The Works of Edgar Allan Poe, The Raven Edition by Edgar Allan Poe - Some time ago I heard of a young girl, beautiful, gay, full of spirit and vigor, who married and had four children.
— from Pushing to the Front by Orison Swett Marden - People who keep their minds bent in one direction too long at a time soon lose their elasticity, their mental vigor, freshness, spontaneity.
— from Pushing to the Front by Orison Swett Marden - “It is all as he has said; it is very evident that the mind still retains its full force and vigor.”
— from The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas and Auguste Maquet - Strange to say of a woman in full bloom and vigor, she always allowed her interlocutors to finish their statements before rejoining with hers.
— from Far from the Madding Crowd by Thomas Hardy
