God knows, it is as much as I can do to put meat and bread on my own table; & hourly some poor starving wretch comes to my door, to put in his claim for a part of it.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- The speaker struggles to feed their own family while facing constant demands from the poor.
- In plain terms
- I can barely feed myself yet people ask for help.
- What can you take from it?
- Personal scarcity conflicts with external demands.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- How much can you give?
- Where do you draw the line?
Another view
Helping others is still vital.
More from Samuel Taylor Coleridge
From my early reading of Faery Tales, & Genii &c &c - my mind had been habituated to the Vast - & I never regarded my senses in any way as the criteria of my b…
Permalink to quote #164 Metaphisics is a word that you, my dear Sir! are no great friend to / but yet you will agree, that a great Poet must be, implicite if not explicite, a profound…
Permalink to quote #166 Your Sensibilities are tempestuous - you feel Indignation at Weakness - Now Indignation is the handsome Brother of Anger & Hatred - His looks are 'lovely in te…
Permalink to quote #163
Related quotes
Give a beggar a dime and he'll bless you. Give him a dollar and he'll curse you for witholding the rest of your fortune. Poverty is a bag with a hole at the bo…
Anzia YezierskaAnzia Yezierska quote #4 I think that Jesus would be disappointed in our ignoring the plight of those around us who are suffering and our focus on our own selfish short-term needs. I t…
John EdwardsJohn Edwards quote #1 'Christmas won't be Christmas without any presents,' grumbled Jo, lying on the rug. 'It's so dreadful to be poor!' sighed Meg, looking down at her old dress. '…
Louisa May AlcottLouisa May Alcott quote #2