A soul so pitiably forlorn, If such do on this earth…
“A soul so pitiably forlorn, If such do on this earth abide, May season apathy with scorn, May turn indifference to pride; And still be not unblest- compared With him who grovels, self-debarred From all that lies within the scope Of holy faith and christian hope; Or, shipwrecked, kindles on the coast False fires, that others may be lost.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The poet laments a soul that, despite suffering, chooses indifference over faith, leading to false hope and misleading others.
In simple terms: A soul chooses indifference over faith, causing harm.
Key Takeaway
Choose humility and genuine faith.
Themes
faith
indifference
false hope
humility
spirituality
Mood
melancholic
reflective
Type
poetic
philosophical
When to use this quote
- personal crisis
- religious doubt
- leadership
- ethical decision making
Key Concepts
existentialism
moral choice
self-deception
Questions to Reflect On
- What drives a person to reject true faith?
- How can genuine compassion replace false pride?
A Different Perspective
Indifference may stem from fear, not malice.