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About this quote

What does it mean?
The speaker says sleep is called a friend to the sad, but actually happy people call it so too.
In plain terms
Both sad and happy people love sleep.
What can you take from it?
Rest is universal across moods.

Where it applies

  • daily life
  • rest

Putting it to work

  • value rest equally

Questions to consider

  • Why do we all need sleep?
  • Is rest better for joy or pain?

Another view

It ignores that sleep can also be escape.

More from Robert Southey

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  3. They sin who tell us love can die; With life all other passions fly, All others are but vanity.

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