But what is Hope? Nothing but the paint on the face of Existence; the least touch of truth rubs it off, and then we see what a hollow-cheeked harlot we have got hold of.
Lord ByronRead
Death, so called, is a thing which makes men weep, And yet a third of life is passed in sleep.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote reflects on the nature of death and sleep, suggesting that both provoke similar emotions despite being a natural part of life.
Lord Byronβs quote draws a parallel between the inevitability of death and the daily occurrence of sleep. It suggests that while death is often met with sadness and grief, it is a state not unlike sleep, where a significant portion of life is spent in the unconscious state. This prompts a contemplation of life and death, encouraging a deeper understanding of our existence and what it means to truly live.
Themes
DeathSleepLifeReflectionPhilosophy
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion about the meaning of life and mortality.
More from Lord Byron
All quotes βIt is the lava of the imagination whose eruption prevents an earthquake.
Lord ByronRead
For what were all these country patriots born? To hunt, and vote, and raise the price of corn?
Lord ByronRead
Absence - that common cure of love.
Lord ByronRead
Her great merit is finding out mine; there is nothing so amiable as discernment.
Lord ByronRead
But words are things, and a small drop of ink, Falling like dew, upon a thought, produces That which makes thousands, perhaps millions, think.
Lord ByronRead
Similar quotes
Life never presents us with anything which may not be looked upon as a fresh starting point, no less than as a termination.
Andre GideRead
Prejudice is a disease. So is fashion. But I will not wear prejudice.
Lady GagaRead
Ageing destroys youth, sickness destroys health, degeneration of life destroys all excellent qualities and death destroys life. Even if you are a great runner, you cannot run away from death. you cannot stop death with your wealth, through your magic performances or recitation of mantras or even medicines. Therefore, it is wise to prepare for your death.
Dalai LamaRead
After 9/11, many of the most important news outlets in America abdicated their role as a check to power - the journalistic responsibility to challenge the excesses of government - for fear of being seen as unpatriotic and punished in the market during a period of heightened nationalism.
Edward SnowdenRead
Augustus Waters died eight days after his prefuneral, at Memorial, in the ICU, when the cancer, which was made of him, finally stopped his heart, which was also made of him.
John GreenRead
There is no rest for the humble except in despising the great, whose only thought of the people is inspired by self-interest or sadism.
Louis-Ferdinand CelineRead