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About this quote

What does it mean?
Donne questions if humans should celebrate after experiencing great pleasures like animals do.
In plain terms
Can we be happy after pleasure just like animals?
What can you take from it?
Humans can enjoy joy without losing their dignity.

Where it applies

  • moral debate
  • celebration
  • lifestyle choices

Putting it to work

  • justify enjoyment
  • balance reason and instinct
  • advocate for leisure

Questions to consider

  • Is joy incompatible with reason?
  • What makes human joy different?

Another view

It assumes humans and animals share the same capacity for pure joy.

More from John Donne

  1. Sir, more than kisses, letters mingle souls; For, thus friends absent speak.

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  2. So, so, break off this last lamenting kiss, Which sucks two souls, and vapors both away.

    Permalink to quote #41
  3. And new philosophy calls all in doubt, The element of fire is quite put out; The sun is lost, and the earth, and no man's wit, Can well direct him where to loo…

    Permalink to quote #44

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