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Twixt devil and deep sea, man hacks his caves; Birth…

“Twixt devil and deep sea, man hacks his caves; Birth, death; one, many; what is true, and seems; Earth's vast hot iron, cold space's empty waves.” quote by William Empson
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“Twixt devil and deep sea, man hacks his caves; Birth, death; one, many; what is true, and seems; Earth's vast hot iron, cold space's empty waves.”

William Empson

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 juxtaposes existential paradoxes, contrasting human ambition with nature's vast, indifferent forces.

In simple terms: Human struggle amid cosmic contradictions.

Key Takeaway

Embrace humility and focus on personal truth.

Themes

existentialism nature human ambition

Mood

reflective melancholic

Type

poetic philosophical

When to use this quote

  • creative writing
  • philosophical reflection
  • personal journaling

Key Concepts

paradox contradiction humility

Questions to Reflect On

  • How do you reconcile personal goals with indifferent forces?
  • What truths emerge when confronting vastness?
A Different Perspective

The poem’s abstract imagery may obscure concrete guidance.

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