I SIT and look out upon all the sorrows of the world, and…
““I SIT and look out upon all the sorrows of the world, and upon all oppression and shame; I hear secret convulsive sobs from young men, at anguish with themselves, remorseful after deeds done; I see, in low life, the mother misused by her children, dying, neglected, gaunt, desperate; I see the wife misused by her husband—I see the treacherous seducer of young women; I mark the ranklings of jealousy and unrequited love, attempted to be hid—I see these sights on the earth; 5 I see the workings of battle, pestilence, tyranny—I see martyrs and prisoners; I observe a famine at sea—I observe the sailors casting lots who shall be kill’d, to preserve the lives of the rest; I observe the slights and degradations cast by arrogant persons upon laborers, the poor, and upon negroes, and the like; All these—All the meanness and agony without end, I sitting, look out upon, See, hear, and am silent.””
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 observes widespread suffering, oppression, and injustice, feeling overwhelmed yet silent amidst humanity’s collective pain.
In simple terms: Witnessing suffering across society, the speaker feels powerless.
Key Takeaway
Acknowledge pain; seek compassionate action.
Themes
suffering
oppression
silence
Mood
melancholy
thoughtful
Type
poetic
social commentary
When to use this quote
- journalism
- advocacy
- mental health awareness
- policy reform
Key Concepts
social critique
humanism
existential dread
Questions to Reflect On
- What can break the cycle of silent observation?
- How can we transform empathy into effective change?
A Different Perspective
Silence may perpetuate suffering if not acted upon.