Literary notes about dross (AI summary)
Writers often deploy the term “dross” as a metaphor for that which is worthless or impure, in stark contrast to what is truly valuable or refined. It can describe not only physical impurities—as in the alchemical process where waste is separated from gold ([1])—but also moral or spiritual corruption, suggesting that the material world is transient and defiled compared to eternal truths ([2], [3]). In some poetic and dramatic passages, “dross” underscores the contrast between fleeting pride or superficial wealth and the enduring worth of noble ideals or souls ([4], [5]). At times, its use takes on a purificatory tone, calling for the removal of moral or societal refuse in order to reveal or recover a purer, higher essence ([6]).
- It is like the furnace to the metal, which takes away the dross and shews you a refined lump.
— from The Covenants And The CovenantersCovenants, Sermons, and Documents of the Covenanted Reformation - When all that is worldly turns to dross around us, these only retain their steady value.
— from The Sketch-Book of Geoffrey Crayon by Washington Irving - God beholds our minds and understandings, bare and naked from these material vessels, and outsides, and all earthly dross.
— from Meditations by Emperor of Rome Marcus Aurelius - PRIDE Pride not thyself upon a ring, Or any trinket thing Of fleeting value, dross or gold.
— from The Poems of Sappho: An Interpretative Rendition into English by Sappho - ‘He is content,’ said Ralph, relaxing into a smile, ‘to set his known character and conduct against the power of money—dross, as he calls it.
— from Nicholas Nickleby by Charles Dickens - And I will turn my hand to thee, and I will clean purge away thy dross, and I will take away all thy tin.
— from The Bible, Douay-Rheims, Complete
