Pity Quote by Gary Snyder
““Damn me not I make a better fool. And there is nothing vaster, more beautiful, remote, unthinking (eternal rose-red sunrise on the surf—great rectitude of rocks) than man, inhuman man, At whom I look for a thousand light years from a seat near Scorpio, amazed and touched by his concern and pity for my plight, a simple star, Then trading shapes again. My wife is gone, my girl is gone, my books are loaned, my clothes are worn, I gave away a car; and all that happened years ago. Mind & matter, love & space are frail as foam on beer.””
About This Quote
Source Poem: "The Uncommon Man", published in "The Hummingbird's Song", 1973
The poem reflects on humanity's paradoxical grandeur and fragility, juxtaposing cosmic awe with personal loss and the fleeting nature of material concerns
In simple terms: Human greatness is both magnificent and fragile, and life’s possessions are temporary
Key Takeaway
Recognize both the awe of existence and the impermanence of material things
Themes
existence
impermanence
humanity
loss
cosmic perspective
Mood
melancholic
reflective
hopeful
Type
poetic
philosophical
contemplative
When to use this quote
- grieving personal loss
- contemplating the universe
- reflecting on material detachment
- seeking meaning in suffering
Key Concepts
existentialism
transcendence
nihilism
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you balance awe of the cosmos with everyday responsibilities?
- What can you let go of to embrace impermanence?
A Different Perspective
It may romanticize suffering and overlook practical resilience strategies
![“But if you do know what is taught by plants and weather, you are in on the gossip and can feel truly at home. The sum of a field's forces [become] what we call very loosely the 'spirit of the place.' To know the spirit of a place is to realize that you are a part of a part and that the whole is…” quote by Gary Snyder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/af3/gary-snyder-4502_feels_but-if-you-do-know-what-is-taught-by-pla_256516.jpg)
