You who wronged a simple man Bursting into laughter at the…
““You who wronged a simple man Bursting into laughter at the crime, And kept a pack of fools around you To mix good and evil, to blur the line, Though everyone bowed down before you, Saying virtue and wisdom lit your way, Striking gold medals in your honor, Glad to have survived another day, Do not feel safe. The poet remembers. You can kill one, but another is born. The words are written down, the deed, the date. And you’d have done better with a winter dawn, A rope, and a branch bowed beneath your weight.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The poem reflects on the paradox of power and morality, noting that even those who appear virtuous can cause harm, and that history records both deeds and consequences.
In simple terms: Power can be corrupting, and history remembers both good and bad actions.
Key Takeaway
Recognize the complexity of moral judgments.
Themes
power
morality
history
duality
responsibility
Mood
reflective
somber
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- political leadership
- judicial decisions
- personal relationships
- historical analysis
Key Concepts
philosophy
literature
ethics
Questions to Reflect On
- What does true virtue look like?
- How do we balance justice and mercy?
A Different Perspective
Moral judgments are often oversimplified.