And thought the nation ne'er would thrive Till all the whores were burnt alive.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Hyperbole suggesting extreme measures for national survival.
- In plain terms
- The nation will not thrive until all whores are burned alive.
- What can you take from it?
- Extreme rhetoric often links morality to national success.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What drives extreme moral claims?
- How do societies define success?
Another view
This advocates violence and is clearly hyperbolic or satirical.
More from Matthew Prior
Be to her virtues very kind; Be to her faults a little blind; Let all her ways be unconfined; And clap your padlock - on her mind!
Permalink to quote #4 He ranged his tropes, and preached up patience; Backed his opinion with quotations.
Permalink to quote #6 Lays the rough paths of peevish Nature even, And opens in each heart a little heaven.
Permalink to quote #3
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