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About this quote

What does it mean?
The speaker points out a human skull found on a battlefield, noting it belonged to a common soldier who died in a celebrated victory.
In plain terms
A dead soldier's skull reminds us of the cost of war.
What can you take from it?
Victories often hide the individual lives lost.

Where it applies

  • battlefield visits
  • remembrance
  • war history

Putting it to work

  • reflect on human cost
  • honor individuals

Questions to consider

  • What do we lose when we celebrate victory?
  • How do we remember the unnamed dead?

Another view

The quote focuses on death but ignores the reasons for the conflict.

More from Robert Southey

  1. He came to ask what he had found, That was so large, and smooth, and round.

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  2. But what they fought each other for I could not well make out.

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  3. It was a summer evening, Old Kaspar's work was done, And he before his cottage door Was sitting in the sun, And by him sported on the green His little grandchi…

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