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About this quote

What does it mean?
A voice suggests nonexistence to end misery, but the speaker defends the wonder of existence despite pain.
In plain terms
Someone asks if death is better than suffering, but life is defended.
What can you take from it?
Even in misery, existence is defended for its wonder.

Where it applies

  • depression
  • existential crisis
  • philosophical debate

Putting it to work

  • defend life
  • find wonder in pain
  • question existence

Questions to consider

  • Is existence worth the pain?
  • What wonder do you find?

Another view

Defending existence in deep misery may feel dismissive to some.

More from Alfred (Lord) Tennyson

  1. There was no blood upon her maiden robes Sunn'd by those orient skies; But round about the circles of the globes Of her keen And in her raiment's hem was trace…

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  2. 'Self-blinded are you by your pride: Look up thro' night: the world is wide. 'This truth within thy mind rehearse, That in a boundless universe Is boundless be…

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  3. Thus truth was multiplied on truth, the world Like one great garden show'd, And thro' the wreaths of floating dark up-curl'd, Rare sunrise flow'd. And Freedom …

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