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We have done with Hope and Honour, we are lost to Love and…

“We have done with Hope and Honour, we are lost to Love and Truth, We are dropping down the ladder rung by rung, And the measure of our torment is the measure of our youth. God help us, for we knew the worst too young! from "Gentleman Rankers” quote by Rudyard Kipling
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““We have done with Hope and Honour, we are lost to Love and Truth, We are dropping down the ladder rung by rung, And the measure of our torment is the measure of our youth. God help us, for we knew the worst too young! from "Gentleman Rankers””

Rudyard Kipling

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

The poem laments a loss of youthful idealism, swapping hope and honor for love and truth, and feeling the weight of aging.

In simple terms: Youthful hope is replaced by love, truth, and aging.

Key Takeaway

Reflect on the cost of lost innocence.

Themes

youth hope love truth aging

Mood

melancholic contemplative

Type

poetic literary

When to use this quote

  • personal reflection
  • generational dialogue
  • historical analysis

Key Concepts

philosophy literature

Questions to Reflect On

  • What does “love and truth” replace for you?
  • How do you measure youthful torment?
A Different Perspective

The tone may romanticize suffering.

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