Is this a holy thing to see, In a rich and fruitful land…
““Is this a holy thing to see, In a rich and fruitful land, Babes reduced to misery, Feed with cold and usurous hand? Is that trembling cry a song? Can it be a song of joy? And so many children poor? It is a land of poverty! And their sun does never shine, And their fields are bleak & bare, And their ways are fill'd with thorns; It is eternal winter there. For where-e'er the sun does shine, And where-e'er the rain does fall, Babe can never hunger there, Nor poverty the mind appall.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
A lament on the stark contrast between wealth and suffering, highlighting the perpetual poverty that shadows the land and its people.
In simple terms: Rich land hides deep poverty and suffering.
Key Takeaway
Recognize hidden suffering and act with compassion.
Themes
poverty
inequality
compassion
Mood
somber
reflective
Type
poetic
social commentary
When to use this quote
- urban planning
- policy making
- charitable work
- education
- media reporting
Key Concepts
social critique
human suffering
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we transform barren conditions into hope?
- What responsibilities do the privileged have?
A Different Perspective
The quote romanticizes suffering without suggesting solutions.