--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Man hands on misery to man. It deepens…" description: "\"Man hands on misery to man. It deepens like a coastal shelf. Get out as early as you can, and don't have any kids yourself.\" — Philip Larkin" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2c3/philip-larkin-1822_coastal_man-hands-on-misery-to-man-it-deepens-li_3075658.jpg" --- # Man hands on misery to man. It deepens like a coastal… ![“Man hands on misery to man. It deepens like a coastal shelf. Get out as early as you can, and don't have any kids yourself.” quote by Philip Larkin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2c3/philip-larkin-1822_coastal_man-hands-on-misery-to-man-it-deepens-li_3075658.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2c3/philip-larkin-1822_coastal_man-hands-on-misery-to-man-it-deepens-li_3075658.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2c3/philip-larkin-1822_coastal_man-hands-on-misery-to-man-it-deepens-li_3075658.jpg) > “Man hands on misery to man. It deepens like a coastal shelf. Get out as early as you can, and don't have any kids yourself.” [Philip Larkin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-larkin/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The quote warns that misery spreads from person to person, deepening over time, and suggests avoiding parenthood to prevent passing it on. **In simple terms:** Misery spreads; avoid having kids to stop the cycle. Key Takeaway Consider the impact of your choices on future generations. Themes misery inheritance family responsibility Mood somber reflective Type cautionary philosophical When to use this quote - relationship choices - family planning - mental health - social policy Key Concepts social contagion intergenerational trauma existentialism Questions to Reflect On - Can you break the cycle of misery? - What responsibilities do we have to future generations? A Different Perspective It assumes all parents inevitably transmit misery, ignoring positive influences. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Coastal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/coastal/) [Hands](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hands/) [Hands Misery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hands-misery-5222916/) [Kids](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/kids/) [Like Coastal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/like-coastal-2294430/) [Man Deepens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/man-deepens-5222915/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Misery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/misery/) [Misery Man](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/misery-man-781624/) [Shelves](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shelves/) ## Related quotes > [I do like the ocean wave, actually. 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In her wakeNo waters breed or break.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-larkin/only-one-ship-is-seeking-us-a-black-sailed-unfamiliar-towing-at-her/) [Philip Larkin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-larkin/) > [And immediately Rather than words comes the thought of high windows: The sun-comprehending glass, And beyond it, the deep blue air, that shows Nothing,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-larkin/and-immediately-rather-than-words-comes-the-thought-of-high-windows/) [Philip Larkin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-larkin/) > [“Living toys are something novel, But it soon wears off somehow.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-larkin/living-toys-are-something-novel-but-it-soon-wears-off-somehow/) [Philip Larkin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-larkin/) > [“Once I am sure there's nothing going on I step inside, letting the door thud shut. 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Better the Dickens you know than the Dickens…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-larkin/i-sit-in-my-room-like-miss-havisham-about-whom-i-have-been-reading/) [Philip Larkin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-larkin/) > [“When I throw back my head and howl People (women mostly) say But you've always done what you want, You always get your way…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-larkin/when-i-throw-back-my-head-and-howl-people-women-mostly-say-but-you-ve/) [Philip Larkin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-larkin/) > [I think a young poet, or an old poet, for that matter, should try to produce something that pleases himself personally, not only when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-larkin/i-think-a-young-poet-or-an-old-poet-for-that-matter-should-try-to/) [Philip Larkin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-larkin/) > [But superstition, like belief, must die.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-larkin/but-superstition-like-belief-must-die/) [Philip Larkin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-larkin/) > [“Side by side, their faces blurred, The earl and countess lie in stone, Their proper habits vaguely shown As jointed armour, stiffened pleat, And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-larkin/side-by-side-their-faces-blurred-the-earl-and-countess-lie-in-stone/) [Philip Larkin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-larkin/) [Explore all 206 Philip Larkin quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-larkin/) ## More Coastal quotes > [Yes, I guess I am bi-coastal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tea-leoni/yes-i-guess-i-am-bi-coastal/) [Tea Leoni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tea-leoni/) > [Protecting dozens of major coastal cities from future flooding will be challenging enough-rebuilding major coastal cities destroyed by super-hurricanes will be an almost impossible…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-j-romm/protecting-dozens-of-major-coastal-cities-from-future-flooding-will/) [Joseph J. 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You name it, I’ve seen it and probably had to mop it up,” said Lucy.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leslie-meier/i-m-a-mother-you-name-it-i-ve-seen-it-and-probably-had-to-mop-it-up/) [Leslie Meier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leslie-meier/) > [California just is so deeply left, particularly coastal. It just is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rush-limbaugh/california-just-is-so-deeply-left-particularly-coastal-it-just-is/) [Rush Limbaugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rush-limbaugh/) > [Scientists say an 8.9 earthquake here could knock down buildings, flood coastal areas... and improve the roads.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-maher/scientists-say-an-8-9-earthquake-here-could-knock-down-buildings/) [Bill Maher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-maher/) > [There is no doubt that now, more than ever, we must work to end our dependence on foreign oil sources. 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