There are hermit souls that live withdrawn In the place of…
““There are hermit souls that live withdrawn In the place of their self-content; There are souls like stars, that dwell apart, In a fellowless firmament; There are pioneer souls that blaze their paths Where highways never ran- But let me live by the side of the road And be a friend to man. - Let me live in a house by the side of the road, Where the race of men go by- The men who are good and the men who are bad, As good and as bad as I. I would not sit in the scorner's seat, Or hurl the cynic's ban- Let me live in a house by the side of the road And be a friend to man. - I see from my house by the side of the road, By the side of the highway of life, The men who press with the ardor of hope, The men who are faint with the strife. But I turn not away from their smiles nor their tears, Both parts of an infinite plan- Let me live in a house by the side of the road And be a friend to man. I know there are brook-gladdened meadows ahead And mountains of wearisome height; That the road passes on through the long afternoon And stretches away to the night. But still I rejoice when the travelers rejoice. And weep with the strangers that moan, Nor live in my house by the side of the road Like a man who dwells alone. - Let me live in my house by the side of the road- It's here the race of men go by. They are good, they are bad, they are weak, they are strong, Wise, foolish- so am I; Then why should I sit in the scorner's seat, Or hurl the cynic's ban? Let me live in my house by the side of the road And be a friend to man.””
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 chooses to live modestly, embracing empathy and solidarity with all people, rejecting judgment and cynicism, and finding purpose in companionship and shared humanity.
In simple terms: Live simply, be kind, and stay connected to others.
Key Takeaway
Choose empathy over judgment.
Themes
compassion
humility
community
solidarity
acceptance
Mood
hopeful
thoughtful
inspirational
Type
poetic
philosophical
When to use this quote
- volunteering
- community building
- everyday interactions
- support groups
Key Concepts
existentialism
social responsibility
humanism
Questions to Reflect On
- What does “friend to man” mean for you daily?
- How can you balance empathy with self‑preservation?
A Different Perspective
Idealism may overlook personal boundaries and self-care needs.