Child Quote by Guy de Maupassant
““In a moment he saw by the light of the gas that the child was still there. “God be praised!” said he, and his heart gave a great throb of joy. Yes, here she was! He took her little hand in his. Poor little hand, how cold it was! He caught her under the arms and lifted her. Her head fell back, but she did not awake. “The happy sleep of childhood!” thought he. He pressed her close to his breast to warm her, and with a vague presentiment he tried to rouse her from this heavy sleep by kissing her eyelids. But he realized then with horror that through the child’s half-open lids her eyes were dull, glassy, fixed. A distracting suspicion flashed through his mind. He put his lips to the child’s mouth; he felt no breath. While Lucien had been building a fortune with the louis stolen from this little one, she, homeless and forsaken, had perished with cold.””
About This Quote
Source Short Story: “The Child” by Guy de Maupassant, 1885
A man discovers a dead child, realizing his greed caused her death, and feels horror and remorse.
In simple terms: He sees a dead child and feels guilt for his greed.
Key Takeaway
Recognize how selfish actions harm others.
Themes
guilt
greed
mortality
remorse
consequences
Mood
sorrowful
reflective
tragic
Type
narrative
moral
literary
When to use this quote
- poverty
- crime
- family tragedy
- ethical decision
- social injustice
Key Concepts
human nature
morality
death
poverty
Questions to Reflect On
- What would you have done in his place?
- How does greed blind moral judgment?
A Different Perspective
His wealth cannot undo the loss; guilt may persist.
