Here dead we lie because we did not choose To live and shame the land from which we sprung. Life, to be sure, is nothing much to lose; But young men think it is, and we were young.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Soldiers died for their country because living in shame was worse.
- In plain terms
- They died for their land because shame was worse than death.
- What can you take from it?
- Pride can outweigh fear of death.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Is duty worth death?
- When is shame worse than death?
Another view
Patriotism can lead to unnecessary death.
More from A. E. Housman
Who made the world I cannot tell; 'Tis made, and here am I in hell. My hand, though now my knuckles bleed, I never soiled with such a deed.
Permalink to quote #45 We now to peace and darkness And earth and thee restore Thy creature that thou madest And wilt cast forth no more.
Permalink to quote #47 The rainy Pleiads wester, Orion plunges prone, The stroke of midnight ceases, And I lie down alone.
Permalink to quote #44
Related quotes
Three hundred men hastened forth, wearing gold torques, defending the land - and there was slaughter. Though they were slain they slew, and they shall be honou…
AneirinAneirin quote #1 Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori.
HoraceHorace quote #11 It is vain, sir, to extenuate the matter. Gentlemen may cry, Peace, peace! But there is no peace. The war is actually begun! The next gale that sweeps from the…
Patrick HenryPatrick Henry quote #12