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A sea captain when he stands upon the bridge, or looks out…

“A sea captain when he stands upon the bridge, or looks out from his deck-house, thinks much about God and about the world. Away in the valley yonder among the corn and the poppies men may well forget all things except the warmth of the sun upon the face, and the kind shadow under the hedge; but he…” quote by William Butler Yeats
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“A sea captain when he stands upon the bridge, or looks out from his deck-house, thinks much about God and about the world. Away in the valley yonder among the corn and the poppies men may well forget all things except the warmth of the sun upon the face, and the kind shadow under the hedge; but he who journeys through storm and darkness must needs think and think.”

William Butler Yeats

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

A sea captain contemplates God and the world amid storms, unlike those in peaceful fields who forget deeper thoughts.

In simple terms: Storms force deep reflection.

Key Takeaway

Seek meaning in hardship.

Themes

spirituality nature reflection

Mood

contemplative melancholic

Type

poetic philosophical

When to use this quote

  • sailing
  • loneliness
  • philosophical contemplation
  • creative writing

Key Concepts

existentialism solitude maritime life

Questions to Reflect On

  • How do challenges shape your worldview?
  • What do you find when you look beyond comfort?
A Different Perspective

Peaceful settings may dull introspection.

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