When I consider life, 't is all a cheat. Yet fool'd with…
“When I consider life, 't is all a cheat. Yet fool'd with hope, men favour the deceit; Trust on, and think to-morrow will repay. To-morrow 's falser than the former day; Lies worse, and while it says we shall be blest With some new joys, cuts off what we possest. Strange cozenage! none would live past years again, Yet all hope pleasure in what yet remain; And from the dregs of life think to receive What the first sprightly running could not give.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Life is portrayed as a deceptive cheat, where hope blinds us to future disappointment and loss.
In simple terms: Life feels like a cheat, hope blinds us.
Key Takeaway
Beware false hope and its promises.
Themes
hope
deception
disillusionment
Mood
melancholic
thoughtful
Type
poetic
philosophical
When to use this quote
- relationship loss
- career setbacks
- personal growth
Key Concepts
existentialism
nihilism
optimism
Questions to Reflect On
- Do you cling to hope in hopeless situations?
- How does deception shape your expectations?
A Different Perspective
Hope can sometimes motivate despite deception.