Breathes there the man, with soul so dead, Who never to…
“Breathes there the man, with soul so dead, Who never to himself hath said, This is my own, my native land! Whose heart hath ne'er within him burn'd, As home his footsteps he hath turn'd From wandering on a foreign strand! If such there breathe, go mark him well; For him no Minstrel raptures swell; High though his titles, proud his name, Boundless his wealth as wish can claim; Despite those titles, power, and pelf, The wretch, concentred all in self, Living, shall forfeit fair renown, And, doubly dying, shall go down To the vile dust, from whence he sprung, Unwept, unhonor'd, and unsung.”
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 condemns those who love only themselves, lacking patriotism and humility, leading to a meaningless legacy.
In simple terms: Self‑centered people ignore their homeland and die unnoticed.
Key Takeaway
Cultivate humility and love for one’s roots.
Themes
humility
patriotism
legacy
selfishness
Mood
somber
reflective
critical
Type
poetic
philosophical
moral
When to use this quote
- political leadership
- personal reflection
- community service
- education
- cultural preservation
Key Concepts
egoism
national identity
mortality
Questions to Reflect On
- What does it mean to truly belong to a place?
- How can one balance personal ambition with communal responsibility?
A Different Perspective
Self‑interest can be rationalized as ambition, blurring the moral critique.