Alas! they had been friends in youth; But whispering…
“Alas! they had been friends in youth; But whispering tongues can poison truth, And constancy lives in realms above; And life is thorny, and youth is vain; And to be wroth with one we love Doth work like madness in the brain.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Friendship can sour when gossip spreads, leading to irrational anger and madness.
In simple terms: Gossip poisons truth and fuels rage.
Key Takeaway
Guard against idle talk.
Themes
friendship
gossip
anger
Mood
cautionary
melancholic
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- workplace
- family gatherings
- social media
Key Concepts
Human nature
psychology
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you respond to rumors?
- What steadies you when emotions flare?
A Different Perspective
Not all conflicts are resolved by anger alone.