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I wonder if it hurts to live, And if they have to try, And whether, could they choose between, They would not rather die.
Emily Dickinson
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Interpretation

What this quote means

The quote reflects on the pain and struggles of living versus the desire for death.

Emily Dickinson's quote contemplates the inherent pain associated with life and questions whether those who endure it would choose to live if given the option. It delves into the complex relationship between suffering, existence, and the contemplation of mortality, highlighting the philosophical dilemma of life and death.

Themes

PainLifeDeathExistenceStruggle

In practice

Example use cases

In a discussion on mental health, this quote might be used to highlight the struggles individuals face.

More from Emily Dickinson

Heart, we will forget him, You and I, tonight! You must forget the warmth he gave, I will forget the light.
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I held a jewel in my fingers And went to sleep. The day was warm, and winds were prosy; I said: "'T will keep." I woke and chid my honest fingers,β€” The gem was gone; And now an amethyst remembrance Is all I own.
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I'll tell you how the sun rose, a ribbon at a time. The steeples swam in amethyst, The news like squirrels ran. The hills untied their bonnets, The bobolinks begun. Then I said softly to myself, "That must have been the sun!
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My best Acquaintances are those With Whom I spoke no Word
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This is the Hour of Lead- Remembered, if outlived, As freezing persons, recollect the Snow- First-Chill-then Stupor- then the letting go---
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Luck is not chance, it's toil; fortune's expensive smile is earned.
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