A Poem from Edna St. Vincent Millay: Grown-up Was it for this I uttered prayers, And sobbed and cursed and kicked the stairs, That now, domestic as a plate, I should retire at half-past eight?
Edna St. Vincent MillayRead
If ever I said in grief or pride, I'd tired of honest things, I lied.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The speaker acknowledges their own dishonesty when expressing feelings of disdain for honesty.
In this quote, Edna St. Vincent Millay reflects on the complexities of human emotions, particularly the contradictions that arise in moments of grief or pride. The assertion that one may claim to be weary of honesty, only to reveal that such statements are lies, suggests a deep understanding of the human tendency to struggle with authenticity in difficult emotional moments.
Themes
HonestyEmotionsTruthContradictionSelf-Reflection
In practice
Example use cases
A speaker at a literary event could use this quote to discuss the complexities of truth in poetry.
More from Edna St. Vincent Millay
All quotes βChildhood is not from birth to a certain age and at a certain age. The child is grown, and puts away childish things. Childhood is the kingdom where nobody dies.
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I went to Boston fully expecting to be arrested - arrested by a polizia created by a government that my ancestors rebelled to establish.
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Listen, children: Your father is dead. From his old coats I'll make you little jackets; I'll make you little trousers From his old pants. There'll be in his pockets Things he used to put there, Keys and pennies Covered with tobacco; Dan shall have the pennies To save in his bank; Anne shall have the keys To make a pretty noise with. Life must go on, Though good men die; Anne, eat your breakfast; Dan, take your medicine; Life must go on; I forget just why.
Edna St. Vincent MillayRead
I would I were alive again To kiss the fingers of the rain, To drink into my eyes the shine Of every slanting silver line, To catch the freshened, fragrant breeze From drenched and dripping apple-trees. For soon the shower will be done, And then the broad face of the sun Will laugh above the rain-soaked earth Until the world with answering mirth Shakes joyously, and each round drop Rolls twinkling, from its grass-blade top.
Edna St. Vincent MillayRead
I drank at every vine, the last was like the first. I came upon no wine so wonderful as thirst.
Edna St. Vincent MillayRead
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