It is sad, no doubt, to exhaust one's strength and one's…
“It is sad, no doubt, to exhaust one's strength and one's days in cleaving the bosom of this jealous earth, which compels us to wring from it the treasures of its fertility, when a bit of the blackest and coarsest bread is, at the end of the day's work, the sole recompense and the sole profit attaching to so arduous a toil.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Life's labor often yields meager rewards, highlighting the harshness of material pursuits.
In simple terms: Hard work may bring little return.
Key Takeaway
Seek meaning beyond material gain.
Themes
labor
poverty
existential angst
Mood
melancholic
thoughtful
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- working class
- agricultural labor
- urban poverty
- social reform
Key Concepts
materialism
human condition
inequality
Questions to Reflect On
- What value do you find beyond wealth?
- How can you balance effort and contentment?
A Different Perspective
Not all effort is futile; context can bring fulfillment.