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It is the privilege of the rich To waste the time of the…

“It is the privilege of the rich To waste the time of the poor To water with tears in secret A tree that grows in secret That bears fruit in secret That ripened falls to the ground in secret And manures the parent tree Oh the wicked tree of hatred and the secret The sap rising and the tears falling.” quote by Stevie Smith
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“It is the privilege of the rich To waste the time of the poor To water with tears in secret A tree that grows in secret That bears fruit in secret That ripened falls to the ground in secret And manures the parent tree Oh the wicked tree of hatred and the secret The sap rising and the tears falling.”

Stevie Smith

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 depicts the hidden, destructive nature of hatred, likening it to a secret tree that nourishes itself while harming others.

In simple terms: Hatred grows secretly and harms people.

Key Takeaway

Recognize and confront hidden hatred.

Themes

emotion psychology conflict secrecy growth

Mood

somber reflective

Type

poetic philosophical

When to use this quote

  • personal reflection
  • conflict resolution
  • educational discussions
  • mental health awareness

Key Concepts

symbolism psychological metaphor social critique

Questions to Reflect On

  • What hidden forms of hatred exist in society?
  • How can we expose and dismantle them?
A Different Perspective

May be interpreted as overly abstract, limiting practical application.

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