Explain this strange proverb by Blake?

Question

"The apple tree never asks the beech how he shall grow, nor the lion the horse how he shall take his prey."

Answer 1

Nature does not need guidance, it does things without having being told what to do. Unlike humans which have to be taught and directed in order to flourish.

Answer 2

sounds like a saying about things that are innate.

Answer 3

We have within us our true identity and purpose. Horizontal looks will give us comparisons but not direction.  

Answer 4

My best guess is that someone who has no basis for a situation can't give advice on it. You wouldn't ask someone without a child what its like to give birth right.

Answer 5

It means that there are certain answers that instinctively exist within our human nature, without having to inquire about it or delve beyond it.

This is the same instinct that led Man to acknowledge the presence of God ( a greater power than he is).

Answer 6

I believe he means that there are some questions that can't be answered.

i hope that helps :)

Answer 7

If you don't understand some things, or you want them in your way, that doesn't mean they are wrong... Each of us has a role, play your role in your way, let the other act their own role, they are best to do that...

Answer 8

A bit like trying to teach your granny how to suck eggs. I think it has to do with condescending-ness.

Answer 9

Well, if a beech grows taller than an apple tree the similarity here seems to be that the one will do harm to the other. So if the beech, if next the to the apple tree, grew taller than the apple tree it would be deprived of light and could die. The lion if left next to a horse would probably kill it.

So it seems that we should not ask if the things next to use will be the cause of our untimely demise.  

Answer 10

I think the real meaning is that one should not ask for advice from someone who has an ax to grind, whose interests run counter to one's own.