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Count not the cost of honour to the dead!The tribute that…

“Count not the cost of honour to the dead!The tribute that a mighty nation paysTo those who loved her well in former daysMeans more than gratitude for glories fled;For every noble man that she hath bred,Lives in the bronze and marble that we raise,Immortalised by art's immortal praise,To lead our…” quote by Henry Van Dyke
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“Count not the cost of honour to the dead!The tribute that a mighty nation paysTo those who loved her well in former daysMeans more than gratitude for glories fled;For every noble man that she hath bred,Lives in the bronze and marble that we raise,Immortalised by art's immortal praise,To lead our sons as he our fathers led.”

Henry Van Dyke

About This Quote

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

Honouring the dead through lasting monuments and art carries deeper meaning than fleeting thanks for past victories.

In simple terms: Monuments honor the dead more than words.

Key Takeaway

Build lasting tributes, not just praise.

Themes

honour memory legacy art nation

Mood

solemn reflective respectful

Type

historical commemorative poetic

When to use this quote

  • public memorials
  • family histories
  • national ceremonies
  • artistic commissions

Key Concepts

commemoration immortality cultural heritage

Questions to Reflect On

  • What should be remembered versus celebrated?
  • How do monuments shape collective memory?
A Different Perspective

Such tributes can glorify war and ignore the complexities of history.

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