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
There is no God. But it does not matter. Man is enough.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote expresses a belief in human self-sufficiency, suggesting that even without divine belief, humanity can stand strong.
In this quote, Edna St. Vincent Millay suggests that the existence or absence of a deity is inconsequential to the human experience. Her assertion that 'Man is enough' reflects an empowering message about human potential and resilience, encouraging individuals to find strength and meaning within themselves rather than relying on external spiritual or divine validations.
Themes
GodHumanitySelf-SufficiencyBeliefStrength
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech promoting self-reliance and independence during a philosophy class.
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.
Edna St. Vincent MillayRead
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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The secret was such an old one now, had so grown into me and become a part of myself, that I could not tear it away.
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