Age Quote by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
“Rash combat oft immortalizes man; if he should fall, he is renowned in song; but after-ages reckon not the ceaseless tears which the forsaken woman sheds. Poets tell us not of the many nights consumed in weeping, or of the dreary days wherein her anguished soul vainly yearns to call her loved one back.”
About This Quote
Source Poem: "Der Erlkönig" (often attributed), early 19th century German literature
The quote reflects on how heroic battle is celebrated in song, while the suffering of abandoned women is ignored and forgotten.
In simple terms: War glorifies men, neglects women's grief.
Key Takeaway
Remember and honor the unseen suffering of those left behind.
Themes
war
memory
gender
suffering
heroism
Mood
somber
reflective
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- military remembrance
- family loss
- historical analysis
- literary study
Key Concepts
tragic heroism
female marginalization
cultural memory
Questions to Reflect On
- How does society choose which stories to remember?
- What can be done to give voice to the overlooked?
A Different Perspective
The quote romanticizes combat without addressing its moral costs.
![“Those renowned generals [Alexander and Caesar] received more faithful service, and performed greater actions by means of the love their soldiers bore them, than they could possibly have done, if instead of being beloved and respected they had been hated and feared by those they commanded.” quote by Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/199/benjamin-franklin-65_action_those-renowned-generals-alexander-and-ca_498487.jpg)
