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And yet I would not be a child again. For surely as the…

“And yet I would not be a child again. For surely as the night succeeds the day, So surely will their mirth turn into tears. And I would not return to happy hours, If I must live again these weary years. I would walk on, and leave it all behind: will walk on; and when my feet grow sore, The boatman…” quote by Ella Wheeler Wilcox
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““And yet I would not be a child again. For surely as the night succeeds the day, So surely will their mirth turn into tears. And I would not return to happy hours, If I must live again these weary years. I would walk on, and leave it all behind: will walk on; and when my feet grow sore, The boatman waits—his sails are all unfurled— He waits to row me to a fairer shore.””

Ella Wheeler Wilcox

About This Quote

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

The speaker reflects on the inevitability of aging and sorrow, choosing to move forward despite pain, hoping for a better afterlife.

In simple terms: Aging brings sorrow; keep moving toward hope.

Key Takeaway

Embrace change and seek peace beyond hardship.

Themes

aging hope mortality resilience spirituality

Mood

melancholic reflective hopeful

Type

poetic philosophical inspirational

When to use this quote

  • end of life
  • grief coping
  • spiritual seeking
  • personal loss
  • career transition

Key Concepts

existentialism transcendence acceptance

Questions to Reflect On

  • What does “a fairer shore” represent for you?
  • How can you find meaning while enduring hardship?
A Different Perspective

The quote may romanticize death as an escape, overlooking the value of confronting present challenges.

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