--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When trouble haunts me, need I sigh?No…" description: "\"When trouble haunts me, need I sigh?No, rather smile away despair\" — John Clare" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f1a/john-clare-9982_despair_when-trouble-haunts-me-need-i-sigh-no-ra_3216663.png" --- # When trouble haunts me, need I sigh?No, rather smile away… ![“When trouble haunts me, need I sigh?No, rather smile away despair” quote by John Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f1a/john-clare-9982_despair_when-trouble-haunts-me-need-i-sigh-no-ra_3216663.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f1a/john-clare-9982_despair_when-trouble-haunts-me-need-i-sigh-no-ra_3216663.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f1a/john-clare-9982_despair_when-trouble-haunts-me-need-i-sigh-no-ra_3216663.png) > “When trouble haunts me, need I sigh?No, rather smile away despair” [John Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-clare/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The poet questions whether to express sorrow, choosing instead to smile and reject despair. **In simple terms:** Choose smiling over sighing when troubled. Key Takeaway Embrace optimism over despair. Themes optimism resilience emotional choice Mood hopeful determined Type poetic motivational When to use this quote - personal setbacks - mental health - creative expression Key Concepts literature emotional regulation Questions to Reflect On - What helps you replace despair with a smile? - Can optimism change outcomes? ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Despair](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/despair/) [Her smile](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/her-smile/) ## Related quotes > [“work-worn, on a gingham towel draped over the cupboard. “All of them stillborn.” I smother a sigh with a smile, weak and resigned. He…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ann-voskamp/work-worn-on-a-gingham-towel-draped-over-the-cupboard-all-of-them/) [Ann Voskamp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ann-voskamp/) > [For everything exists and not one sigh nor smile nor tear, one hair nor particle of dust, not one can pass away.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-blake/for-everything-exists-and-not-one-sigh-nor-smile-nor-tear-one-hair/) [William Blake](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-blake/) > [But the truth, he knows, is otherwise. His pleasure in living has been snuffed out. Like a leaf on a stream, like a puffball…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/but-the-truth-he-knows-is-otherwise-his-pleasure-in-living-has-been/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [She had a sadness that was so deep, but it still could turn to light in a second,and when I saw her smile I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laini-taylor/she-had-a-sadness-that-was-so-deep-but-it-still-could-turn-to-light/) [Laini Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laini-taylor/) > [A mother's love is like a tower, Rising far above the crowd, And her smile is like the sunshine, Breaking through a threatening cloud.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-steiner-rice/a-mother-s-love-is-like-a-tower-rising-far-above-the-crowd-and-her/) [Helen Steiner Rice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-steiner-rice/) > [Because if he looked like he was unaffected by her smile, then she would not realize that, in actuality, he was in an utter…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julia-quinn/because-if-he-looked-like-he-was-unaffected-by-her-smile-then-she/) [Julia Quinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julia-quinn/) > [Ruth hadn't talked to my sister since before my death, and then it was only to excuse herself in the hallway at school. But…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-sebold/ruth-hadn-t-talked-to-my-sister-since-before-my-death-and-then-it-was/) [Alice Sebold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-sebold/) > [And the look on her face as she opened the door Was like an old joke told by a friend. It'd taken ten more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-chapin/and-the-look-on-her-face-as-she-opened-the-door-was-like-an-old-joke/) [Harry Chapin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-chapin/) > [She stretched out her hand, saying, “Vernon! My dear, what a delightful surprise!” “What’s surprising about it?” he enquired, lifting his black brows. “Didn’t…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georgette-heyer/she-stretched-out-her-hand-saying-vernon-my-dear-what-a-delightful/) [Georgette Heyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georgette-heyer/) > [Neither smiles nor frowns, neither good intentions nor harsh words, are a substitute for strength.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-f-kennedy/neither-smiles-nor-frowns-neither-good-intentions-nor-harsh-words-are/) [John F. Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-f-kennedy/) > [My mom smiled at me. Her smile kind of hugged me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/my-mom-smiled-at-me-her-smile-kind-of-hugged-me/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [It's as if, in the mother's eyes, her smile, her stroking touch, the child first reads the message:'You are there!'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adrienne-rich/it-s-as-if-in-the-mother-s-eyes-her-smile-her-stroking-touch-the/) [Adrienne Rich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adrienne-rich/) > [It is how it has always been. We will accept the legacy of our ancestors,' Asha says, smiling, and in her smile I do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/libba-bray/it-is-how-it-has-always-been-we-will-accept-the-legacy-of-our/) [Libba Bray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/libba-bray/) > [The element of chance in basic research is overrated. Chance is a lady who smiles only upon those few who know how to make…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hans-selye/the-element-of-chance-in-basic-research-is-overrated-chance-is-a-lady/) [Hans Selye](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hans-selye/) > [Layla brought her arms around herself, no doubt because she was remembering the feel of another, stronger set. "I have wanted to, but he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-r-ward/layla-brought-her-arms-around-herself-no-doubt-because-she-was/) [J.R. Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-r-ward/) ## More by John Clare > [I ne'er was struck before that hour with love so sudden and so sweet. Her face it bloomed like a sweet flower and stole…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-clare/i-ne-er-was-struck-before-that-hour-with-love-so-sudden-and-so-sweet/) [John Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-clare/) > [Ah, words are poor receipts for what time hath stole away...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-clare/ah-words-are-poor-receipts-for-what-time-hath-stole-away/) [John Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-clare/) > [“ I Am! I am—yet what I am none cares or knows; My friends forsake me like a memory lost: I am the self-consumer…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-clare/i-am-i-am-yet-what-i-am-none-cares-or-knows-my-friends-forsake-me/) [John Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-clare/) > [“I long for scenes where man hath never trod A place where woman never smiled or wept There to abide with my Creator, God,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-clare/i-long-for-scenes-where-man-hath-never-trod-a-place-where-woman-never/) [John Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-clare/) > [I found the poems in the fields And only wrote them down](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-clare/i-found-the-poems-in-the-fields-and-only-wrote-them-down/) [John Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-clare/) > [This world has suns, but they are overcast;This world has sweets, but they're of ling'ring bloom;Life still expects, and empty falls at last;Warm Hope…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-clare/this-world-has-suns-but-they-are-overcast-this-world-has-sweets-but/) [John Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-clare/) > [ Forgive me if, in friendship’s way, I offer thee a wreath of May… \[N\]ourished by the dews of heaven… So I have Ivy placed… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-clare/forgive-me-if-in-friendship-s-way-i-offer-thee-a-wreath-of-may-n/) [John Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-clare/) > [Yet simple souls, their faith it knows no stint: Things least to be believed are most preferred. All counterfeits, as from truth's sacred mint,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-clare/yet-simple-souls-their-faith-it-knows-no-stint-things-least-to-be/) [John Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-clare/) > [I'm John Clare now. I was Byron and Shakespeare formerly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-clare/i-m-john-clare-now-i-was-byron-and-shakespeare-formerly/) [John Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-clare/) > [To-morrow comes, true copy of to-day,And empty shadow of what is to be;Yet cheated Hope on future still depends,And ends but only when our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-clare/to-morrow-comes-true-copy-of-to-day-and-empty-shadow-of-what-is-to-be/) [John Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-clare/) > [“Crowded places, I shunned them as noises too rude And fled to the silence of sweet solitude.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-clare/crowded-places-i-shunned-them-as-noises-too-rude-and-fled-to-the/) [John Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-clare/) > [The snow has left the cottage top; The thatch moss grows in brighter green; And eaves in quick succession drop, Where grinning icicles have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-clare/the-snow-has-left-the-cottage-top-the-thatch-moss-grows-in-brighter/) [John Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-clare/) > [Into the nothingness of scorn and noise, Into the living sea of waking dreams, Where there is neither sense of life or joys, But…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-clare/into-the-nothingness-of-scorn-and-noise-into-the-living-sea-of-waking/) [John Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-clare/) > [Summer is a prodigal of joy. The grass Swarms with delighted insects as I pass, And crowds of grasshoppers at every stride Jump out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-clare/summer-is-a-prodigal-of-joy-the-grass-swarms-with-delighted-insects/) [John Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-clare/) > [“Into the nothingness of scorn and noise, Into the living sea of waking dreams, Where there is neither sense of life or joys, But…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-clare/into-the-nothingness-of-scorn-and-noise-into-the-living-sea-of-waking-2/) [John Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-clare/) [Explore all 68 John Clare quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-clare/) ## More Despair quotes > [“As ofttimes as it rains on my little spot of earth, you'd think I'd grow accustomed to the gloom.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richelle-e-goodrich/as-ofttimes-as-it-rains-on-my-little-spot-of-earth-you-d-think-i-d/) [Richelle E. Goodrich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richelle-e-goodrich/) > [“She searched her mind for a single day when it had felt good to be alive. There must have been one, surely?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-abbott/she-searched-her-mind-for-a-single-day-when-it-had-felt-good-to-be/) [Rachel Abbott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-abbott/) > [“Men circle like bees around honey, buzzing to communicate their sexual despair.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carla-h-krueger/men-circle-like-bees-around-honey-buzzing-to-communicate-their-sexual/) [Carla H Krueger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carla-h-krueger/) > [I think what was special about 'Music by Prudence' was the classic story of the title subject's life path - from being an outcast…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-ross-williams/i-think-what-was-special-about-music-by-prudence-was-the-classic/) [Roger Ross Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-ross-williams/) > [Your spirit is the part of you that seeks meaning and purpose. It's the part drawn to hope, that will not give in to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caroline-myss/your-spirit-is-the-part-of-you-that-seeks-meaning-and-purpose-it-s/) [Caroline Myss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caroline-myss/) > [My God, whose son, as on this night, took on Him the form of man, and for man vouchsafed to suffer and bleed, controls…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlotte-bronte/my-god-whose-son-as-on-this-night-took-on-him-the-form-of-man-and-for/) [Charlotte Bronte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlotte-bronte/) > [The modernist writers found despair inspirational.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mason-cooley/the-modernist-writers-found-despair-inspirational/) [Mason Cooley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mason-cooley/) > [The skin and shell of things Though fair are not Thy wish nor prayer but got My meer despair of wings.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-vaughan/the-skin-and-shell-of-things-though-fair-are-not-thy-wish-nor-prayer/) [Henry Vaughan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-vaughan/) > [“A fine setting for a fit of despair,” it occurred to him, “if I were only standing here by accident instead of design.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franz-kafka/a-fine-setting-for-a-fit-of-despair-it-occurred-to-him-if-i-were-only/) [Franz Kafka](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franz-kafka/) > [Enough for this bow & arrow. It caused me nothing but sorrow. No need for another tomorrow. In your heart, I will never be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louaiq8/enough-for-this-bow-arrow-it-caused-me-nothing-but-sorrow-no-need-for/) Louaiq8 > [True repentance never leads to despair. Its leads home. It leads to grace.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ortberg/true-repentance-never-leads-to-despair-its-leads-home-it-leads-to/) [John Ortberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ortberg/) > [Do not consider despair as a thick and high wall standing on your way; it is just a darkness and you can still walk…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mehmet-murat-ildan/do-not-consider-despair-as-a-thick-and-high-wall-standing-on-your-way/) [Mehmet Murat ildan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mehmet-murat-ildan/) > [Despair is the price one pays for setting oneself an impossible aim. It is, one is told, the unforgivable sin, but it is a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/graham-greene/despair-is-the-price-one-pays-for-setting-oneself-an-impossible-aim/) [Graham Greene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/graham-greene/) > [A speculative despair is unpardonable where it our duty to act.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edmund-burke/a-speculative-despair-is-unpardonable-where-it-our-duty-to-act/) [Edmund Burke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edmund-burke/) > [I have noticed that there is no dissatisfaction like that of the rich. Feed a man, clothe him, put him in a good house,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-steinbeck/i-have-noticed-that-there-is-no-dissatisfaction-like-that-of-the-rich/) [John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-steinbeck/) [Browse all 3,181 Despair quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/despair/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "When trouble haunts me, need I sigh?No, rather smile away despair", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "John Clare" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-clare/when-trouble-haunts-me-need-i-sigh-no-rather-smile-away-despair/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Despair" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-clare/when-trouble-haunts-me-need-i-sigh-no-rather-smile-away-despair/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f1a/john-clare-9982_despair_when-trouble-haunts-me-need-i-sigh-no-ra_3216663.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f1a/john-clare-9982_despair_when-trouble-haunts-me-need-i-sigh-no-ra_3216663.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f1a/john-clare-9982_despair_when-trouble-haunts-me-need-i-sigh-no-ra_3216663.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“When trouble haunts me, need I sigh?No, rather smile away despair” — John Clare", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "John Clare", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-clare/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "When trouble haunts me, need I...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-clare/when-trouble-haunts-me-need-i-sigh-no-rather-smile-away-despair/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-clare/when-trouble-haunts-me-need-i-sigh-no-rather-smile-away-despair/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```