Deemest thou labor Only is earnest? Grave is all beauty, Solemn is joy.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Labor is not the only serious thing; beauty and joy are also grave and solemn.
- In plain terms
- Beauty and joy should be taken as seriously as work.
- What can you take from it?
- Treat beauty and joy with the same seriousness as work.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Is joy serious?
- Why should beauty be grave?
Another view
Calling joy solemn might seem contradictory to some definitions.
More from William Watson
Braying of arrogant brass, whimper of querulous reeds.
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Permalink to quote #9 And though circuitous and obscure The feet of Nemesis how sure!
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