Indolence is heaven's ally here, And energy the child of hell: The Good Man pouring from his pitcher clear But brims the poisoned well.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Melville contrasts laziness with energy, suggesting idleness is safe while active goodness can lead to corruption.
- In plain terms
- Doing nothing is safer than trying to do good which might cause harm.
- What can you take from it?
- Good intentions can sometimes create unexpected harm.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Is inaction ever safer than action?
- Can good deeds cause harm?
Another view
This view might discourage necessary action against injustice.
More from Herman Melville
Instinct and study; love and hate; Audacity-reverence. These must mate, And fuse with Jacob's mystic heart, To wrestle with the angel-Art.
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