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Being young you have not known The fool's triumph, nor yet…

“Being young you have not known The fool's triumph, nor yet Love lost as soon as won, Nor the best labourer dead And all the sheaves to bind.” quote by William Butler Yeats
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“Being young you have not known The fool's triumph, nor yet Love lost as soon as won, Nor the best labourer dead And all the sheaves to bind.”

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.

The speaker reflects on youthful innocence, unaware of the fleeting nature of triumph, love, and the inevitable loss of labor and harvest.

In simple terms: Youth misses life's temporary victories and losses.

Key Takeaway

Recognize impermanence early.

Themes

youth impermanence love loss

Mood

reflective melancholic

Type

poetic philosophical

When to use this quote

  • first love
  • career beginnings
  • family bereavement
  • project completion

Key Concepts

existentialism transience poetry

Questions to Reflect On

  • How might awareness of impermanence shape your choices?
  • What victories feel most fleeting?
A Different Perspective

Youthful naiveté can blind one to inevitable change.

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