The road to resolution lies by doubt

Question

I could not understand the following sentence. Could you explain its formations, pease? Thanks.The road to resolution lies by doubt: The next way home's the farthest way about.

AlpheccaStars · Accepted Answer

I'm not sure what you are asking - the formation is poetic - a rhymed couplet.
It is probably a statement of the author's philosophy concerning his quest for Truth.

Regards,
A-

s

Jackson6612 · Answer

Thanks.

Then, I would request you to please let me know what the individual lines of the couplet mean. I couldn't see how the words in both lines combines to produce something meaning. I know it's only me. So, please guide me.

AlpheccaStars · Answer

I would say that the poet is using "doubt" as a place or state of mind - if you are in doubt, that means you are uncertain about something. So I interpret the first line - The way to resolution lies by doubt - as the poet's telling us that the way to resolve a dilemma it to question everything first, only by doubting everything, and examining all the facets, can you come to a resolution (an answer, the Truth).

The second line - The next way home's the farthest way about. – is somewhat more obscure. “Home” represents the destination, the answer you are seeking. Perhaps to the poet, it represents Truth, or perhaps, in a religious sense, heaven or nirvana.
The poet says that to get to the truth (the way home) is a very long road. You have to study, question and go through many dilemmas and doubts. Indeed, "the longest way about" could represent one's entire life.

Jackson6612 · Answer

The road to resolution lies by doubt: The next way home's the farthest way about.

Thanks a lot. It was really helpful. But I don't understand the part "The next way home's". I think "home's" stands for 'home is". What is it "The next way"? Could you please help me with it?

Best wishes
Jackson

AlpheccaStars · Answer

The next way home's the farthest way about.

Rephrasing:

The next path to home is the farthest path that exists (about).

It implies that there are many ways (paths) to reach home. The next one (the one that you will take) is the most circuitous.

Avangi · Answer

Jackson6612The road to resolution lies by doubt: The next way home's the farthest way about.

The author recommends that you choose the "doubt method" to resolve your questions, as a-

's has stated.
He adds that the the closest, or next-best alternative, is not nearly so satisfactory, but is in fact "the long way around." (The circuitous route, as has been stated.)

This is a common English idiom. When you know two different routes by which you can get home, one is often the "most direct" way to go, and the other may be "the long way around."

When your friend uses a shortcut to solve a math problem and you do it "the long way," he may say, "You took the long way around." ("the farthest way about")
The second phrasing sounds more British to me. I could be wrong.

- A.

Jackson6612 · Answer

Thank you, both of you. I understand it now.

Best regards
Jackson

AlpheccaStars · Answer

AvangiHe adds that the the closest, or next-best alternative, is not nearly so satisfactory, but is in fact "the long way around."

That's an insightful observation, close to the author's meaning.

The author is a British poet, Francis Quarles (1592-1644). The quote is from his religious inspirational poetry "Emblems" (1635) Book 4, Epigram 2. Here is the original (the language is early modern English - see the diagram on the previous page...)

http://emblem.libraries.psu.edu/qu190_91.htm

The road to resolution lies by doubt

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