When I was one-and-twenty I heard a wise man say, 'Give…
“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 and wealth care; heart’s value exceeds material gifts.
In simple terms: Guard your heart over riches.
Key Takeaway
Protect emotional well‑being.
Themes
love
youth
wisdom
Mood
nostalgic
thoughtful
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- relationships
- financial decisions
- personal growth
Key Concepts
poetry
human experience
Questions to Reflect On
- What does “heart” mean to you?
- How balance love and material pursuits?
A Different Perspective
Materialism can obscure emotional health.