From plants that wake when others sleep, from timid jasmine buds that keep their odour to themselves all day, but when the sunlight dies away let the delicious secret out to every breeze that roams about.

In this quote, Thomas Moore uses the imagery of plants and jasmine buds to explore themes of timing, patience, and the quiet beauty of nature. He describes how certain plants, like the jasmine, have a unique way of revealing their fragrance—waiting until nightfall when the sun sets to release their scent. This delayed blossoming symbolizes how some of life’s most beautiful moments or qualities may not always be immediately apparent but reveal themselves when the time is right.

Moore’s description of the jasmine buds that “keep their odour to themselves all day” suggests that not all beauty or talent is outwardly visible or immediately shared. Just like the jasmine, some qualities or experiences are meant to emerge gradually, in their own time. The notion that the delicious secret is only revealed "when the **sunlight dies away" reflects the idea of timing in nature and life, where sometimes the most rewarding moments come when we least expect them, or when we allow space for them to unfold.

The origin of this quote comes from Moore’s poetry, where he often explored the beauty of nature and its metaphors for deeper human experiences. Moore, an Irish poet, was known for writing lyrical poetry that frequently incorporated natural imagery to express emotions, often touching on themes of love, loss, and beauty in life’s subtle details. This particular quote reflects his romanticism and deep appreciation for the natural world, emphasizing the connection between nature’s rhythms and human emotions.

Ultimately, Moore’s quote highlights the quiet power of nature and the subtle way in which beauty and wonder are sometimes hidden, only to be revealed in the right moment. It serves as a reminder that, like the jasmine, we too may have qualities or experiences that emerge at just the right time, bringing unexpected beauty and depth into the world when we least anticipate it.