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The night can sweat with terror as before We pieced our…

“The night can sweat with terror as before We pieced our thoughts into philosophy, And planned to bring the world under a rule, Who are but weasels fighting in a hole.” quote by William Butler Yeats
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“The night can sweat with terror as before We pieced our thoughts into philosophy, And planned to bring the world under a rule, Who are but weasels fighting in a hole.”

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.

Human attempts to control the world are fraught with fear and futility, likened to small creatures battling in darkness.

In simple terms: Powerful ambitions often end in anxiety and struggle.

Key Takeaway

Recognize limits of control and accept uncertainty.

Themes

power fear control human frailty

Mood

anxious reflective

Type

literary cautionary

When to use this quote

  • political movements
  • personal ambition
  • social change
  • creative projects
  • conflict

Key Concepts

existential dread philosophical critique

Questions to Reflect On

  • What drives your desire to dominate outcomes?
  • How can you channel fear into constructive action?
A Different Perspective

May underestimate the potential for positive change despite fear.

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