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Man wants but little, nor that little long; How soon must…

“Man wants but little, nor that little long; How soon must he resign his very dust, Which frugal nature lent him for an hour!” quote by Edward Young
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“Man wants but little, nor that little long; How soon must he resign his very dust, Which frugal nature lent him for an hour!”

Edward Young

About This Quote

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

Reflects on human desire for longevity and the fleeting nature of life, urging humility.

In simple terms: Life is short; desire for long life is futile.

Key Takeaway

Accept life's brevity.

Themes

mortality desire humility

Mood

reflective philosophical

Type

poetic contemplative

When to use this quote

  • personal reflection
  • philosophical writing
  • literary analysis

Key Concepts

ephemerality existentialism

Questions to Reflect On

  • What does it mean to live fully?
  • How can we balance desire and acceptance?
A Different Perspective

Desire for longevity may cause discontent.

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