To Gild Refined Gold To Paint The Lily
We've all heard the phrase "to gild refined gold to paint the lily." But what does it mean? Essentially, it means to add unnecessary embellishments to something that is already perfect in its natural state. It's a metaphor for overdoing something, for making something that's already good even better - but at the cost of losing its original essence.
The Origin of the Phrase
The phrase "to gild refined gold to paint the lily" comes from William Shakespeare's play, King John. In Act IV, Scene 2, the character King John says:
Why, then, to-morrow I cannot serve your turn for Rosalind?
I can live no longer by thinking.
I will weary you then no longer with idle talking.
Know of me then, for now I speak to some purpose, that I know you are a gentleman of good conceit. I speak not this that you should bear a good opinion of my knowledge, insomuch I say I know you are; neither do I labour for a greater esteem than may in some little measure draw a belief from you, to do yourself good, and not to grace me. Believe then, if you please, that I can do strange things. I have, since I was three year old, conversed with a magician, most profound in his art and yet not damnable. If you do love Rosalind so near the heart as your gesture cries it out, when your brother marries Aliena, shall you marry her: I know into what straits of fortune she is driven; and it is not impossible to me, if it appear not inconvenient to you, to set her before your eyes to-morrow human as she is and without any danger.
The phrase appears specifically in this section of the play:
To gild refined gold, to paint the lily,To throw a perfume on the violet,To smooth the ice, or add another hueUnto the rainbow, or with taper-lightTo seek the beauteous eye of heaven to garnish,Is wasteful and ridiculous excess.
The Meaning of the Phrase
The phrase "to gild refined gold to paint the lily" is essentially a warning against the dangers of overdoing something. It's a reminder that sometimes, less is more - and that by adding unnecessary embellishments to something that's already perfect in its natural state, we risk ruining it entirely.
This idea applies to many different aspects of life. For example, in art, it's often said that a painting is finished when the artist knows what to leave out. In design, simplicity is often key - adding too many elements to a design can make it cluttered and confusing. And in writing, the best writers know when to stop - when to leave out unnecessary words and let the story speak for itself.
Examples of Overdoing It
There are countless examples of people overdoing things in an attempt to improve them - and in many cases, these efforts have backfired. For example:
- A chef who adds too many spices to a dish, overpowering the natural flavors of the ingredients
- A musician who adds too many layers to a song, making it sound cluttered and confusing
- A fashion designer who adds too many embellishments to a dress, making it look gaudy and cheap
- An author who uses overly flowery language, detracting from the story itself
In each of these cases, the person is guilty of "gilding refined gold" - of trying to improve something that was already perfect in its natural state.
Finding the Balance
Of course, this isn't to say that we should never try to improve things. It's important to strive for excellence - but we need to do so in a way that doesn't detract from the natural beauty of what we're working with.
The key is to find the balance between adding value and overdoing it. This requires a deep understanding of what makes something great in its natural state, as well as a willingness to experiment and take risks.
Ultimately, the phrase "to gild refined gold to paint the lily" is a reminder that sometimes, the best thing we can do is step back and let something be. By recognizing the inherent beauty in the world around us, we can avoid the temptation to overdo things - and in doing so, we can create something truly special.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "to gild refined gold to paint the lily" is a powerful metaphor for the dangers of overdoing something. While it's important to strive for excellence, we need to do so in a way that doesn't detract from the natural beauty of what we're working with. By finding the balance between adding value and overdoing it, we can create something truly special - something that's both beautiful and true to its original essence.