Drunken Quote by Eugene O'Neill
““And if sometimes, on the stairs of a palace, or on the green side of a ditch, or in the dreary solitude of your own room, you should awaken and the drunkenness be half or wholly slipped away from you, ask of the wind, or of the wave, or of the star, or of the bird, or of the clock, of whatever flies, or sighs, or rocks, or sings, or speaks, ask what hour it is; and the wind, wave star, bird, clock, will answer you: 'it is the hour to be drunken! Be drunken, if you would not be martyred slaves of Time; be drunken continually! With wine, with poetry, or with virtue, as you will."" (He grins at his father provocatively.)””
About This Quote
Source Play: The Iceman Cometh, 1946
The quote urges embracing spontaneity and joy—through wine, poetry, or virtue—to resist being enslaved by time and routine.
In simple terms: Live fully now, not as a slave to time.
Key Takeaway
Choose joy over routine.
Themes
freedom
joy
rebellion
time
spontaneity
Mood
reflective
defiant
energetic
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- personal reflection
- creative writing
- daily mindfulness
- rituals
- celebrations
Key Concepts
existentialism
hedonism
literary rebellion
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you balance joy with duty?
- What small ritual can you adopt to feel 'drunken' with life?
A Different Perspective
May lead to neglect of responsibilities or excess.
