When I Was One-And-Twenty When I was one-and-twenty I…
““ When I Was One-And-Twenty When I was one-and-twenty I heard a wise man say, “Give crowns and pounds and guineas But not your heart away; Give pearls away and rubies But keep your fancy free.” But I was one-and-twenty, No use to talk to me. When I was one-and-twenty I heard him say again, “The heart out of the bosom Was never given in vain; ’Tis paid with sighs a plenty And sold for endless rue.” And I am two-and-twenty, And oh, ’tis true, ’tis true.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Youthful advice warns against giving away love too freely, emphasizing emotional self‑care.
In simple terms: Guard your heart, avoid careless love.
Key Takeaway
Value emotional boundaries.
Themes
love
youth
wisdom
Mood
reflective
melancholic
Type
literary
poetic
When to use this quote
- dating
- friendships
- personal growth
Key Concepts
emotional intelligence
self‑preservation
Questions to Reflect On
- Is protecting the heart always wise?
- When is openness beneficial?
A Different Perspective
Advice may seem overly cautious for some.