Vineyards and shining harvests, pastures, arbors, And all…
“Vineyards and shining harvests, pastures, arbors, And all this our very utmost toil Can hardly care for, we wear down our strength Whether in oxen or in men, we dull The edges of our ploughshares, and in return Our fields turn mean and stingy, underfed, And so today the farmer shakes his head, More and more often sighing that his work, The labour of his hands, has come to naught.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Hard work and neglect wear down both tools and people, leading to unproductive, barren outcomes.
In simple terms: Overwork leads to ruin.
Key Takeaway
Balance effort and rest.
Themes
labor
nature
exhaustion
Mood
melancholy
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
warning
When to use this quote
- farming
- workplace
- personal health
Key Concepts
sustainability
human limits
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you recognize when to rest?
- What practices preserve your strength?
A Different Perspective
Ignoring limits leads to collapse.