--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: What poet would not grieve to see His…" description: "\"What poet would not grieve to see His brother write as well as he? But rather than they should excel, He'd wish his rivals all in Hell.\" — Jonathan Swift" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/77d/jonathan-swift-433_brother_what-poet-would-not-grieve-to-see-his-br_345646.jpg" --- # What poet would not grieve to see His brother write as… ![“What poet would not grieve to see His brother write as well as he? But rather than they should excel, He'd wish his rivals all in Hell.” quote by Jonathan Swift](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/77d/jonathan-swift-433_brother_what-poet-would-not-grieve-to-see-his-br_345646.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/77d/jonathan-swift-433_brother_what-poet-would-not-grieve-to-see-his-br_345646.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/77d/jonathan-swift-433_brother_what-poet-would-not-grieve-to-see-his-br_345646.jpg) > “What poet would not grieve to see His brother write as well as he? But rather than they should excel, He'd wish his rivals all in Hell.” [Jonathan Swift](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-swift/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A poet envies another's skill, wishing rivals to fail, revealing jealousy and rivalry. **In simple terms:** Envy leads to wishing harm on competitors. Key Takeaway Recognize and curb jealousy toward others' success. Themes literature human nature jealousy Mood critical reflective Type literary philosophical When to use this quote - creative writing - academic analysis - personal reflection - conflict resolution Key Concepts rivalry morality satire Questions to Reflect On - What triggers your envy? - How can you celebrate others' achievements? A Different Perspective Desiring others' failure harms both parties. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Brother](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/brother/) [Brother Write](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/brother-write-2743188/) [Brotherhood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/brotherhood/) [Grieve Brother](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/grieve-brother-3203090/) [Grieving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/grieving/) [Hell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hell/) [Poet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/poet/) [Poet Grieve](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/poet-grieve-3203091/) [Poetry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/poetry/) [Rivals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rivals/) [Rivals Hell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rivals-hell-3203092/) [Should](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/should/) [Wells](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wells/) [Wish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wish/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) ## Related quotes > [I liked to write from the time I was about 12 or 13. 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