What did William Blake mean when he wrote: Everything that lives, lives not alone, not for itself?

Question

What did William Blake mean when he wrote: Everything that lives, lives not alone, not for itself?

Answer 1

interrelated.

Answer 2

ofcourse...it is true....each are dependent...cant live alone....as the plant gives off oxygen that you needed...you give off carbon dioxide that they need...for existence...so be it...

Answer 3

Separate self is an illusion. When we think in terms of the physical world, divided up into pieces, we are thinking of an illusion.

Answer 4

we're all interrelated.

Answer 5

All living things on Earth learn to live with one another and by looking out for each other and not just oneself.

If all of us tries to live for ourselves without regards to any other living thing on Earth, we will not survive.  We must all learn to adapt and co-exist together to live longer.

Answer 6

There is an interdependent nature to all things.  Dependent co-arising.  This is because that is, this is not because that is not.

Answer 7

Within a higher purpose

that offers no choice.

Answer 8

What is the purpose of a flower's fragrance, its vibrant color, its delicate texture?

Answer 9

No man is an island.  We are all one entity whose every action effects everyone on this whole world.  John Donne told it the best, ""All mankind is of one author, and is one volume; when one man dies, one chapter is not torn out of the book, but translated into a better language; and every chapter must be so translated...As therefore the bell that rings to a sermon, calls not upon the preacher only, but upon the congregation to come: so this bell calls us all: but how much more me, who am brought so near the door by this sickness....No man is an island, entire of itself...any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind; and therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee."