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About this quote

What does it mean?
The speaker acknowledges life is painful and short, sense is mocked, and being a man is both proud and wretched.
In plain terms
Life is painful and short, and being human is proud yet miserable.
What can you take from it?
Human existence is a mix of pride and misery.

Where it applies

  • accepting mortality
  • contemplating life's hardships
  • finding self-worth

Putting it to work

  • accepting human limits
  • facing life's pain

Questions to consider

  • Is being human a burden?
  • How do you view your life?

Another view

The view is overly pessimistic and ignores life's joys.

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