What we want, we have for our pains The promise that if we…
“What we want, we have for our pains The promise that if we but wait Till the want has burned out of our brains, Every means shall be present to state; While we send for the napkin the soup gets cold, While the bonnet is trimming the face grows old, When we've matched our buttons the pattern is sold, And everything comes too late-too late.”
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 missed opportunities, the passage of time, and the sorrow of delayed realization.
In simple terms: Time passes and opportunities slip away.
Key Takeaway
Act promptly before chances fade.
Themes
time
regret
mortality
anticipation
Mood
melancholic
reflective
Type
poetic
motivational
When to use this quote
- Personal goal setting
- career planning
- relationship timing
- health decisions
Key Concepts
impermanence
delayed gratification
life’s fleeting nature
human longing
Questions to Reflect On
- What can you do today to avoid future regret?
- How does urgency shape your choices?
A Different Perspective
May overemphasis on inevitability foster fatalism.