If poisonous minerals, and if that tree, Whose fruit threw death on else immortal us, If lecherous goats, if serpents envious Cannot be damned; alas; why should I be?
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- If nature and others commit grave sins without punishment, why should the speaker be condemned?
- In plain terms
- Others sin too, so why single me out?
- What can you take from it?
- Hypocrisy and unfair judgment feel harsh when everyone errs.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- When have you felt judged unfairly?
- How do you respond to hypocrisy?
Another view
One's own faults do not excuse others' sins.
More from John Donne
All whom war, dearth, age, agues, tyrannies, Despair, law, chance, hath slain.
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