--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Revolution is a bitter thing, mixed with…" description: "\"Revolution is a bitter thing, mixed with filth and blood, not as lovely or perfect as the poets think. It is eminently down to earth, involving many hu..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dde/lu-xun-12813_acquaintance_revolution-is-a-bitter-thing-mixed-with_2001165.jpg" --- # Revolution is a bitter thing, mixed with filth and blood… ![“Revolution is a bitter thing, mixed with filth and blood, not as lovely or perfect as the poets think. It is eminently down to earth, involving many humble, tiresome tasks, not so romantic as the poets think... . So it is easy for all who have romantic dreams about revolution to become…” quote by Lu Xun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dde/lu-xun-12813_acquaintance_revolution-is-a-bitter-thing-mixed-with_2001165.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dde/lu-xun-12813_acquaintance_revolution-is-a-bitter-thing-mixed-with_2001165.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dde/lu-xun-12813_acquaintance_revolution-is-a-bitter-thing-mixed-with_2001165.jpg) > “Revolution is a bitter thing, mixed with filth and blood, not as lovely or perfect as the poets think. It is eminently down to earth, involving many humble, tiresome tasks, not so romantic as the poets think... . So it is easy for all who have romantic dreams about revolution to become disillusioned on closer acquaintance, when a revolution is actually carried out.” [Lu Xun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lu-xun/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Revolution is messy, grounded in brutal reality, and far from the romantic ideal; expectations often lead to disillusionment. **In simple terms:** Revolution is harsh, not poetic. Key Takeaway Expect realistic outcomes. Themes politics social change idealism reality Mood cautious realistic Type historical motivational When to use this quote - political movements - social reforms - grassroots activism Key Concepts revolutionary theory human cost pragmatism Questions to Reflect On - How can movements prepare participants for the gritty work ahead? - What balance should be struck between vision and practicality? A Different Perspective Idealistic narratives can obscure necessary hardships. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Acquaintance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/acquaintance/) [Disillusioned](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/disillusioned/) [Down to earth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/down-to-earth/) [Dream](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dream/) [Earth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/earth/) [Humble](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humble/) [Poet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/poet/) [Poetry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/poetry/) [Revolution](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/revolution/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) ## Related quotes > [The Copernican revolution was actually a contribution to the life of the church, the development of our view of ourselves in terms of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-coyne/the-copernican-revolution-was-actually-a-contribution-to-the-life-of/) [George Coyne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-coyne/) > [If I was so establishment, I don't think Our Revolution... would actually endorse me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-gomez/if-i-was-so-establishment-i-don-t-think-our-revolution-would-actually/) [Jimmy Gomez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-gomez/) > [Revolution is something that actually starts in individual hearts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-viola/revolution-is-something-that-actually-starts-in-individual-hearts/) [Bill Viola](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-viola/) > [ \[In\] every revolution, there is a great divergence between what the revolutionaries expect and what the revolution actually accomplishes. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/akbar-ganji/in-every-revolution-there-is-a-great-divergence-between-what-the/) [Akbar Ganji](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/akbar-ganji/) > [I have nothing but myself to write about, no facts, no theories, no opinions, no adventures, no sentiments, nothing but my own poor barren…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-anthony-froude/i-have-nothing-but-myself-to-write-about-no-facts-no-theories-no/) [James Anthony Froude](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-anthony-froude/) > [When you are involved with the film and the character, you don't find it tiresome at all. But if you think it's tiresome, it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suresh-gopi/when-you-are-involved-with-the-film-and-the-character-you-don-t-find/) [Suresh Gopi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suresh-gopi/) > [Wallace Beery was a tiresome actor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maureen-o-sullivan/wallace-beery-was-a-tiresome-actor/) [Maureen O'Sullivan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maureen-o-sullivan/) > [“As a king can wear a crown, a crown can also weary a king.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-liccione/as-a-king-can-wear-a-crown-a-crown-can-also-weary-a-king/) [Anthony Liccione](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-liccione/) > [Nothing is more tiresome than a superannuated pedagogue.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-adams/nothing-is-more-tiresome-than-a-superannuated-pedagogue/) [Henry Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-adams/) > [Grown - ups never understand anything for themselves, and it is tiresome for children to be always and forever explaning things to them…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antoine-de-saint-exup-ry/grown-ups-never-understand-anything-for-themselves-and-it-is-tiresome/) [Antoine de Saint-Exupery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antoine-de-saint-exup-ry/) > [We might make a public moan in the newspapers about the decay of conscience, but in private conversation, no matter what crimes a man…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-h-lapham/we-might-make-a-public-moan-in-the-newspapers-about-the-decay-of/) [Lewis H. Lapham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-h-lapham/) > [“It's hard, and it's painful, and it's tiresome, and it's lonely, and if on top of i, you really don't think you're gonna make…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/z-e-haslie/it-s-hard-and-it-s-painful-and-it-s-tiresome-and-it-s-lonely-and-if/) [Zøe Haslie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/z-e-haslie/) > [Kaoru: Grownups are so tiresome. They fake their smiles all day long and they try to force us to do the same. It's no…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bisco-hatori/kaoru-grownups-are-so-tiresome-they-fake-their-smiles-all-day-long/) [Bisco Hatori](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bisco-hatori/) > [The gain in self-confidence of having accomplished a tiresome labour is immense.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arnold-bennett/the-gain-in-self-confidence-of-having-accomplished-a-tiresome-labour/) [Arnold Bennett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arnold-bennett/) > [International friendly games are not worth the lives of the silk worms who perish to make the pennants. They do not even have the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/danny-baker/international-friendly-games-are-not-worth-the-lives-of-the-silk/) [Danny Baker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/danny-baker/) ## More by Lu Xun > [The ability to forget the past enables people to free themselves gradually from the pain they once suffered; but it also often makes them…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lu-xun/the-ability-to-forget-the-past-enables-people-to-free-themselves/) [Lu Xun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lu-xun/) > [Hope is a path on the mountainside. At first there is no path. But then there are people passing that way. And there is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lu-xun/hope-is-a-path-on-the-mountainside-at-first-there-is-no-path-but-then/) [Lu Xun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lu-xun/) > [It is in the nature of things that some people should be unlucky enough to get their heads chopped off.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lu-xun/it-is-in-the-nature-of-things-that-some-people-should-be-unlucky/) [Lu Xun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lu-xun/) > [The most painful thing in life is to wake up from a dream and find no way out. Dreamers are fortunate people. If no…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lu-xun/the-most-painful-thing-in-life-is-to-wake-up-from-a-dream-and-find-no/) [Lu Xun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lu-xun/) > [I entreat fresh visions from the painters. Be lavish with your vermilion to portray the mountains in the spring.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lu-xun/i-entreat-fresh-visions-from-the-painters-be-lavish-with-your/) [Lu Xun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lu-xun/) > [Though science has given us many marvels, it has also spoiled many of our pleasant dreams.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lu-xun/though-science-has-given-us-many-marvels-it-has-also-spoiled-many-of/) [Lu Xun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lu-xun/) > [Creation, even when it is a mere outpouring from the heart, wishes to find a public. By definition, creation is sociable. Yet it can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lu-xun/creation-even-when-it-is-a-mere-outpouring-from-the-heart-wishes-to/) [Lu Xun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lu-xun/) > [“With the weight of four thousand years of cannibalism bearing down upon me, even if I was once innocent how can I now face…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lu-xun/with-the-weight-of-four-thousand-years-of-cannibalism-bearing-down/) [Lu Xun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lu-xun/) > [True fighters dare face the sorrows of humanity, and look unflinchingly at bloodshed. What sorrow and joy are theirs! But the Creator's common device…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lu-xun/true-fighters-dare-face-the-sorrows-of-humanity-and-look/) [Lu Xun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lu-xun/) > [I could not blot out hope, for hope belongs to the future.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lu-xun/i-could-not-blot-out-hope-for-hope-belongs-to-the-future/) [Lu Xun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lu-xun/) > [Hope is like a path in the countryside. Originally, there is nothing - but as people walk this way again and again, a path…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lu-xun/hope-is-like-a-path-in-the-countryside-originally-there-is-nothing/) [Lu Xun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lu-xun/) > [Whoever thinks he is objective must already be half drunk.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lu-xun/whoever-thinks-he-is-objective-must-already-be-half-drunk/) [Lu Xun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lu-xun/) > [When a great man has become petrified, and everyone begins to proclaim his greatness, he has already turned into a puppet.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lu-xun/when-a-great-man-has-become-petrified-and-everyone-begins-to-proclaim/) [Lu Xun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lu-xun/) > [Men who have not known the horror of death are not likely to be awed by it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lu-xun/men-who-have-not-known-the-horror-of-death-are-not-likely-to-be-awed/) [Lu Xun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lu-xun/) > [Like students going to school, the planes on their bombing missions fly over Beijing each morning. And each time I hear their engines attack…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lu-xun/like-students-going-to-school-the-planes-on-their-bombing-missions/) [Lu Xun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lu-xun/) [Explore all 49 Lu Xun quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lu-xun/) ## More Acquaintance quotes > [Distrust all those who love you extremely upon a very slight acquaintance and without any visible reason.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/distrust-all-those-who-love-you-extremely-upon-a-very-slight/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Be much alone with God, and take time to get thoroughly acquainted. Converse over everything with Him. Unburden yourself wholly -every thought, feeling, wish,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horatius-bonar/be-much-alone-with-god-and-take-time-to-get-thoroughly-acquainted/) [Horatius Bonar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horatius-bonar/) > [The study of history and philosophy, accompanied by some acquaintance with art and literature, should be for lawyers and engineers as well as for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-eagleton/the-study-of-history-and-philosophy-accompanied-by-some-acquaintance/) [Terry Eagleton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-eagleton/) > [The love of new acquaintance comes not so much from being weary of what we had before, or from any satisfaction there is in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/the-love-of-new-acquaintance-comes-not-so-much-from-being-weary-of/) [Francois de La Rochefoucauld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/) > [One frequently only finds out how really beautiful a women is, until after considerable acquaintance with her.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-twain/one-frequently-only-finds-out-how-really-beautiful-a-women-is-until/) [Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-twain/) > [“I'd rather be a nodding acquaintance, than a bobble head”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-stern/i-d-rather-be-a-nodding-acquaintance-than-a-bobble-head/) [Josh Stern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-stern/) > [In addition to my other numerous acquaintances, I have one more intimate confidant… My depression is the most faithful mistress I have known —…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/soren-kierkegaard/in-addition-to-my-other-numerous-acquaintances-i-have-one-more/) [Soren Kierkegaard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/soren-kierkegaard/) > [God is a spirit. Jesus was led up of the Spirit to be tempted of the Devil; and it is also true that spirits…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-bradlaugh/god-is-a-spirit-jesus-was-led-up-of-the-spirit-to-be-tempted-of-the/) [Charles Bradlaugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-bradlaugh/) > [ \[On an anarchist acquaintance:\] Everything in appearance the most alarmist aunt could wish. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sylvia-townsend-warner/on-an-anarchist-acquaintance-everything-in-appearance-the-most/) [Sylvia Townsend Warner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sylvia-townsend-warner/) > [There is no such thing as educational value in the abstract. The notion that some subjects and methods and that acquaintance with certain facts…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dewey/there-is-no-such-thing-as-educational-value-in-the-abstract-the/) [John Dewey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dewey/) > [ \[Books\] will visit you at your convenience, whether you are lonesome or not, on rainy days or fair. They propose themselves as either transient… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clifton-fadiman/books-will-visit-you-at-your-convenience-whether-you-are-lonesome-or/) [Clifton Fadiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clifton-fadiman/) > [I'm not dating Prateik; he is just a good acquaintance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amyra-dastur/i-m-not-dating-prateik-he-is-just-a-good-acquaintance/) [Amyra Dastur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amyra-dastur/) > [Moderation is the inseparable companion of wisdom, but with it genius has not even a nodding acquaintance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-caleb-colton/moderation-is-the-inseparable-companion-of-wisdom-but-with-it-genius/) [Charles Caleb Colton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-caleb-colton/) > [The greatest embarrassment of my political career has been that active duties seem to deprive me of time for careful investigation. 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