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About this quote

What does it mean?
Marquis ironically twists the biblical beatitude to suggest the meek are pitied, not blessed.
In plain terms
The meek are sad because they get the earth eventually.
What can you take from it?
Inheritance doesn't mean reward.

Where it applies

  • religious critique
  • social commentary

Putting it to work

  • questioning virtue
  • analyzing power

Questions to consider

  • Does humility help or hurt?
  • What counts as a reward?

Another view

Humility can be valuable outside inheritance context.

More from Don Marquis

  1. Ours is a world where people don't know what they want and are willing to go through hell to get it.

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  2. Poetry is what Milton saw when he went blind.

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  3. Of middle age the best that can be said is that a middle-aged person has likely learned how to have a little fun in spite of his troubles.

    Permalink to quote #56

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