I wish I was more cheerful, it is more pleasant, Also it is a duty, we should smile as well as submitting To the purpose of One Above who is experimenting With various mixtures of human character which goes best, All is interesting for him it is exciting, but not for us. There I go again. Smile, smile, and get some work to do Then you will be practically unconscious without positively having to go.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Smiling is a duty to an experimenting Higher Being; doing work makes you unconscious without needing to hide.
- In plain terms
- Smile and work to stay busy and unconscious.
- What can you take from it?
- Duty and work can numb suffering.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Is numbness a valid coping mechanism?
- Who decides your duty?
Another view
It suggests suppression is better than expression.
More from Stevie Smith
Oh, no no no, it was too cold always (Still the dead one lay moaning) I was much too far out all my life And not waving but drowning.
Permalink to quote #2 Was he married, did he try To support as he grew less fond of them Wife and family?
Permalink to quote #4 This Englishwoman is so refined She has no bosom and no behind.
Permalink to quote #1
Related quotes
Forsaken, fucking in the cold, eating each other, lost runny noses, complaining all the time like so many people that we know
Richard BrautiganRichard Brautigan quote #1 I didn't do my best work until I got licked in the head by a horse.
John HeldJohn Held quote #1 Please don't worry about me, Captain Patzig. I'm an incurable optimist. And as far as those fellows are concerned, I think I know how to get along with them.
Wilhelm CanarisWilhelm Canaris quote #2