It may be we shall know in the hereafter Why we, begetting hopes, give birth to fears, And why the world's too beautiful for laughter, Too gross for tears.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- The poet reflects that hopes become fears, and the world feels simultaneously too beautiful for laughter and too harsh for tears.
- In plain terms
- Hope can turn into fear, and life feels both too bright and too heavy.
- What can you take from it?
- Recognize the paradox of joy and sorrow in life.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Why do hopes sometimes turn to fear?
- How can we balance laughter with sorrow?
Another view
The statement is vague and offers no guidance.
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