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About this quote

What does it mean?
The subject is too poor to be bribed and too proud to ask for favors, so he never became wealthy.
In plain terms
His refusal to be bought and his pride kept him from gaining wealth.
What can you take from it?
Integrity and pride can lead to poverty if they prevent seeking opportunity.

Where it applies

  • describing character
  • reflecting on wealth
  • judging choices

Putting it to work

  • evaluating integrity
  • reflecting on wealth
  • analyzing choices

Questions to consider

  • Is poverty a price of integrity?
  • Does pride block opportunity?

Another view

It frames his poverty as a failure of method rather than a consequence of values.

More from Thomas Gray

  1. Iron sleet of arrowy shower Hurtles in the darkened air.

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  2. I shall be but a shrimp of an author.

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  3. Now my weary lips I close; Leave me, leave me to repose!

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