Here richly, with ridiculous display, The Politician's corpse was laid away. While all of his acquaintance sneered and slanged I wept: for I had longed to see him hanged.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- At a rich politician's funeral, guests mocked him, but the speaker wept because he wanted the man dead.
- In plain terms
- Everyone sneered at the politician, but I cried because I wanted him gone.
- What can you take from it?
- Public funerals can hide private feelings of hatred.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Do you judge people by their funeral?
- Is it better to mock or mourn?
Another view
The humor trivializes death and mourning norms.
More from Hilaire Belloc
Of courtesy it is much less Than courage of heart or holiness Yet in my walks it seems to me That the Grace of God is in courtesy.
Permalink to quote #7 May all my enemies go to hell, Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel.
Permalink to quote #9 I'm tired of Love; I'm still more tired of Rhyme. But money gives me pleasure all the time.
Permalink to quote #6
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