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.
Society is now one polished horde, formed of two mighty tries, the Bores and Bored.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote suggests that society has become a homogeneous group divided into two types of people: those who are dull (the Bores) and those who are weary of them (the Bored).
Lord Byron's quote reflects his critical view of society, indicating that it has evolved into a singular entity characterized by a lack of vibrancy and engagement. The 'Bores' represent individuals who lack excitement or originality, while the 'Bored' refers to those who are disinterested and weary of the monotony around them. This division highlights a societal malaise where real connection and creativity are stifled, leading to a cycle of ennui.
Themes
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion on modern societal dynamics, one could say, 'As Lord Byron puts it, society is now one polished horde, formed of two mighty tries, the Bores and Bored.'
More from Lord Byron
All quotes βIt is the lava of the imagination whose eruption prevents an earthquake.
For what were all these country patriots born? To hunt, and vote, and raise the price of corn?
Absence - that common cure of love.
Her great merit is finding out mine; there is nothing so amiable as discernment.
But words are things, and a small drop of ink, Falling like dew, upon a thought, produces That which makes thousands, perhaps millions, think.
Similar quotes
To become imperceptible oneself, to have dismantled love in order to become capable of loving. To have dismantled one's self in order finally to be alone and meet the true double at the other end of the line. A clandestine passenger on a motionless voyage. To become like everybody else; but this, precisely, is a becoming only for one who knows how to be nobody, to no longer be anybody. To paint oneself gray on gray.
Rationalism belongs to the cool observer. But because of the stupidity of the average person, they follow not reason, but faith. This naΓ―ve faith, requires necessary illusions and emotionally potent oversimplifications, which are provided by the myth maker to keep the ordinary person on course.
Meditation is not 'going somewhere;' it's diving deep here, this moment.
We cannot restore integrity and morality to our society until each of us-singly and individually-takes responsibility for our actions.
It's almost as if a demon might have passed from one host to another.
The universe is probably littered with the one-planet graves of cultures which made the sensible economic decision that there's no good reason to go into space-each discovered, studied, and remembered by the ones who made the irrational decision.