Life Quote by Dylan Thomas
““On No Work of Words On no work of words now for three lean months in the bloody Belly of the rich year and the big purse of my body I bitterly take to task my poverty and craft: To take to give is all, return what is hungrily given Puffing the pounds of manna up through the dew to heaven, The lovely gift of the gab bangs back on a blind shaft. To lift to leave from the treasures of man is pleasing death That will rake at last all currencies of the marked breath And count the taken, forsaken mysteries in a bad dark. To surrender now is to pay the expensive ogre twice. Ancient woods of my blood, dash down to the nut of the seas If I take to burn or return this world which is each man's work.””
About This Quote
Source Poem: Unpublished verse, circa 1950s
The speaker reflects on the paradox of giving and receiving, the weight of poverty, and the cyclical nature of labor and sacrifice.
In simple terms: Giving and receiving are intertwined, and labor carries hidden costs.
Key Takeaway
Recognize the hidden costs of work and generosity.
Themes
labor
poverty
reciprocity
existence
sacrifice
Mood
contemplative
melancholic
Type
poetic
philosophical
When to use this quote
- personal reflection
- creative writing
- social critique
Key Concepts
economics
philosophy
spirituality
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you balance personal sacrifice with societal expectations?
- What does “the rich year” symbolize for you?
A Different Perspective
The poem’s abstract language may obscure practical application.
