Old Khayyám, say you, is a debauchee;If only you were half…
“Old Khayyám, say you, is a debauchee;If only you were half so good as he!He sins no sins but gentle drunkenness,Great-hearted mirth, and kind adultery.But yours the cold heart, and the murderous tongue,The wintry soul that hates to hear a song,The close-shut fist, the mean and measuring eye,And all the little poisoned ways of wrong.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The poet contrasts a hedonistic, generous spirit with a cold, judgmental soul, urging joy over bitterness.
In simple terms: Joyful generosity beats harshness.
Key Takeaway
Embrace kindness and laughter.
Themes
morality
joy
human nature
Mood
contemplative
melancholic
Type
philosophical
literary
When to use this quote
- personal relationships
- self‑reflection
- social interactions
Key Concepts
hedonism
gentle drunkenness
kindness
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you balance pleasure with responsibility?
- What does “kind adultery” symbolize?
A Different Perspective
May be misread as endorsing excess.