I hear you reproach, "But delay was best, For their end…
“I hear you reproach, "But delay was best, For their end was a crime." Oh, a crime will do As well, I reply, to serve for a test As a virtue golden through and through, Sufficient to vindicate itself And prove its worth at a moment's view! . . . . . . Let a man contend to the uttermost For his life's set prize, be it what it will! The counter our lovers staked was lost As surely as if it were lawful coin; And the sin I impute to each frustrate ghost Is-the unlit lamp and the ungirt loin, Though the end in sight was a vice, I say.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Describes a test of virtue where sacrifice and perseverance are justified despite moral ambiguity.
In simple terms: Sacrifice can be a test of virtue.
Key Takeaway
Recognize when sacrifice serves a higher purpose.
Themes
morality
sacrifice
virtue
conflict
Mood
thoughtful
poetic
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- war decisions
- personal dilemmas
- ethical debates
- creative writing
Key Concepts
ethics
philosophy
literature
Questions to Reflect On
- What virtues justify sacrifice?
- When does sacrifice become wrongdoing?
A Different Perspective
Justifying harmful actions can be dangerous.