But when I looked for good, evil came; and when I waited…
““But when I looked for good, evil came; and when I waited for light, darkness came. My lyre is turned to mourning, and my pipe to the voice of those who weep. (Job)””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The speaker observes that seeking good leads to encountering evil, and expecting light brings darkness, reflecting a deep sense of disappointment and sorrow.
In simple terms: Seeking good can bring bad; hope can turn to despair.
Accept that life includes both joy and suffering.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- personal grief
- spiritual crisis
- ethical reflection
- literary analysis
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you reconcile hope with inevitable disappointment?
- What can we learn from sorrow?
The quote may overgeneralize suffering, ignoring moments of genuine good.