When hopes and dreams are loose in the streets, it is well…
“When hopes and dreams are loose in the streets, it is well for the timid to lock doors, shutter windows and lie low until the wrath has passed. For there is often a monstrous incongruity between the hopes, however noble and tender, and the action which follows them. It is as if ivied maidens and garlanded youths were to herald the four horsemen of the apocalypse .”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Society often punishes idealism; the vulnerable protect themselves until chaos subsides.
In simple terms: Idealists risk danger; cautious people hide.
Key Takeaway
Guard your hopes wisely.
Themes
caution
idealism
societal conflict
Mood
anxious
reflective
Type
advice
philosophical
When to use this quote
- political activism
- personal relationships
- community organizing
Key Concepts
Psychology
social dynamics
risk assessment
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you balance hope with self‑preservation?
- When is caution more valuable than optimism?
A Different Perspective
Idealism may be suppressed by harsh realities.