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About this quote

What does it mean?
The poet criticizes those who mock instead of helping, noting that mockery harms society.
In plain terms
Mocking people stops good things.
What can you take from it?
Stop mocking to help others.

Where it applies

  • public discourse
  • social media
  • activism

Putting it to work

  • support
  • encouragement
  • change

Questions to consider

  • What do you mock?
  • Who helps you?

Another view

Satire can sometimes help expose truth.

More from William Butler Yeats

  1. Come let us mock at the good That fancied goodness might be gay, And sick of solitude Might proclaim a holiday: Wind shrieked- and where are they?

    Permalink to quote #121
  2. Odour of blood when Christ was slain Made all platonic tolerance vain And vain all Doric discipline.

    Permalink to quote #123
  3. Come let us mock at the wise; With all those calendars whereon They fixed old aching eyes, They never saw how seasons run, And now but gape at the sun.

    Permalink to quote #120

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