Water, water, every where, And all the boards did shrink; Water, water, every where, Nor any drop to drink.
Attribution disputed; shown as originally published.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- There is endless salt water around but nothing fresh to drink.
- In plain terms
- Water is everywhere but none is safe to drink.
- What can you take from it?
- Having abundance does not mean having what you need.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- When is abundance useless?
Another view
The paradox only works if the water is undrinkable.
More from Samuel Taylor Coleridge
As idle as a painted ship Upon a painted ocean.
Permalink to quote #44 The very deep did rot: O Christ! That ever this should be! Yea, slimy things did crawl with legs Upon the slimy sea.
Permalink to quote #46 The fair breeze blew, the white foam flew, The furrow followed free: We were the first that ever burst Into that silent sea.
Permalink to quote #43
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