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I shall clasp my hands together and bow to the corners of…

“I shall clasp my hands together and bow to the corners of the world. May your villages remain ignorant of tax collectors, and may your sons be many and ugly and strong and willing workers, and may your daughters be few and beautiful and excellent providers of love gifts from eminent families that…” quote by Barry Hughart
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“I shall clasp my hands together and bow to the corners of the world. May your villages remain ignorant of tax collectors, and may your sons be many and ugly and strong and willing workers, and may your daughters be few and beautiful and excellent providers of love gifts from eminent families that live very far away, and may your lives be blessed by the beauty that has touched mine. Farewell.”

Barry Hughart

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

A wish for prosperity, fertility, and protection, expressed with a mix of humor and solemn blessing.

In simple terms: Wishes for wealth, many children, and safety.

Key Takeaway

Seek to protect and provide for loved ones.

Themes

prosperity family humor blessing protection

Mood

reflective hopeful serious

Type

cultural ritual humorous

When to use this quote

  • marriage negotiations
  • family planning
  • community leadership
  • ritual blessings

Key Concepts

fertility social hierarchy ritual cultural values

Questions to Reflect On

  • What values are you prioritizing in blessings?
  • How might such wishes affect gender expectations?
A Different Perspective

May overlook individual autonomy and gender stereotypes.

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