--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The body is the soul's poor house or…" description: "\"The body is the soul's poor house or home, whose ribs the laths are and whose flesh the loam.\" — Robert Herrick" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9e6/robert-herrick-3088_body_the-body-is-the-soul-s-poor-house-or-hom_347254.png" --- # The body is the soul's poor house or home, whose ribs the… ![“The body is the soul's poor house or home, whose ribs the laths are and whose flesh the loam.” quote by Robert Herrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9e6/robert-herrick-3088_body_the-body-is-the-soul-s-poor-house-or-hom_347254.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9e6/robert-herrick-3088_body_the-body-is-the-soul-s-poor-house-or-hom_347254.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9e6/robert-herrick-3088_body_the-body-is-the-soul-s-poor-house-or-hom_347254.png) > “The body is the soul's poor house or home, whose ribs the laths are and whose flesh the loam.” [Robert Herrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-herrick/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The body is a fragile vessel for the soul, built from weak material that can decay. **In simple terms:** The body is a weak home for the soul. Key Takeaway Treat the body with care and nurture the soul. Themes mortality human frailty spirituality Mood reflective somber Type philosophical poetic When to use this quote - health maintenance - spiritual practice - mind‑body awareness Key Concepts materialism dualism embodiment Questions to Reflect On - How does recognizing bodily limits affect your self‑care? - What practices strengthen both body and soul? A Different Perspective The metaphor may overemphasize weakness, ignoring resilience. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Body](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/body/) [Home](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/home/) [Soul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/soul/) ## Related quotes > [If a poor house is well kept, or a poor girl well groomed, there is elegance if not beauty. If good people should come…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zicheng-hong/if-a-poor-house-is-well-kept-or-a-poor-girl-well-groomed-there-is/) [Zicheng Hong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zicheng-hong/) > [Rich honesty dwells like a miser, Sir, in a poor house; as your pearl in your foul oyster.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/rich-honesty-dwells-like-a-miser-sir-in-a-poor-house-as-your-pearl-in/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [A house without books is a poor house, even if beautiful rugs are covering its floors and precious wallpapers and pictures cover its walls](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hermann-hesse/a-house-without-books-is-a-poor-house-even-if-beautiful-rugs-are/) [Hermann Hesse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hermann-hesse/) > [Love your life, poor as it is. You may perhaps have some pleasant, thrilling, glorious hours, even in a poor-house.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/love-your-life-poor-as-it-is-you-may-perhaps-have-some-pleasant/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [America is the first country where people go to the poor house in their car.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-rogers/america-is-the-first-country-where-people-go-to-the-poor-house-in/) [Will Rogers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-rogers/) > [However mean your life is, meet it and live it; do not shun it and call it hard names. It is not so bad…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/however-mean-your-life-is-meet-it-and-live-it-do-not-shun-it-and-call/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [We were so poor in our house when we were young that on Xmas morning if u didn't wake up with an erection, u…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nishan-panwar/we-were-so-poor-in-our-house-when-we-were-young-that-on-xmas-morning/) [Nishan Panwar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nishan-panwar/) > [“My father said being an artist is the shortest road to the poor house , claiming "real" work is something you don't like. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russell-chatham/my-father-said-being-an-artist-is-the-shortest-road-to-the-poor-house/) [Russell Chatham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russell-chatham/) > [Should God create another Eve, and I Another Rib afford, yet loss of thee Would never from my heart; no no, I feel The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/should-god-create-another-eve-and-i-another-rib-afford-yet-loss-of/) [John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) > [ Listen to these words of \[apostle\] Paul: "We war not against flesh and blood, but against principalities and powers, and the rulers of the… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-farrakhan/listen-to-these-words-of-apostle-paul-we-war-not-against-flesh-and/) [Louis Farrakhan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-farrakhan/) > [Nothing, not even the best and noblest, can go on as it now is. Nothing, not even what is lowest and most bestial, will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/nothing-not-even-the-best-and-noblest-can-go-on-as-it-now-is-nothing/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Yep, it sticks to your ribs, doesn’t it?” “It’s stuck to the cup, Tyler.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melinda-heald/yep-it-sticks-to-your-ribs-doesn-t-it-it-s-stuck-to-the-cup-tyler/) [Melinda Heald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melinda-heald/) > [I love pork. I love a good BLT. I know that sounds horrible but I do. I'm a total foodie. I love cooking and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-bergen/i-love-pork-i-love-a-good-blt-i-know-that-sounds-horrible-but-i-do-i/) [Bob Bergen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-bergen/) > [I've broken all my fingers, I've broken my hand, ribs, ankles... everything, I've broken everything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sky-blu/i-ve-broken-all-my-fingers-i-ve-broken-my-hand-ribs-ankles-everything/) [Sky Blu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sky-blu/) > [That devilish Iron Horse, whose ear-rending neigh is heard throughout the town, has muddied the Boiling Spring with his foot, and he it is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/that-devilish-iron-horse-whose-ear-rending-neigh-is-heard-throughout/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) ## More by Robert Herrick > [Love is maintain'd by wealth: when all is spent, Adversity then breeds the discontent.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-herrick/love-is-maintain-d-by-wealth-when-all-is-spent-adversity-then-breeds/) [Robert Herrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-herrick/) > [It takes great wit and interest and energy to be happy. The pursuit of happiness is a great activity. One must be open and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-herrick/it-takes-great-wit-and-interest-and-energy-to-be-happy-the-pursuit-of/) [Robert Herrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-herrick/) > [Whatever comes, let's be content withal; Among God's blessings there is not one small.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-herrick/whatever-comes-let-s-be-content-withal-among-god-s-blessings-there-is/) [Robert Herrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-herrick/) > [When a daffadill I see, Hanging down his head towards me, Guess I may, what I must be: First, I shall decline my head;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-herrick/when-a-daffadill-i-see-hanging-down-his-head-towards-me-guess-i-may/) [Robert Herrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-herrick/) > [In ways to greatness think on this, That slippery all ambition is](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-herrick/in-ways-to-greatness-think-on-this-that-slippery-all-ambition-is/) [Robert Herrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-herrick/) > [“Have ye beheld (with much delight) A red rose peeping through a white? Or else a cherry (double graced) Within a lily? Centre placed?…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-herrick/have-ye-beheld-with-much-delight-a-red-rose-peeping-through-a-white/) [Robert Herrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-herrick/) > [Necessity makes dastards valiant men.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-herrick/necessity-makes-dastards-valiant-men/) [Robert Herrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-herrick/) > [Buying, possessing, accumulating--this is not worldliness. But doing this in the love of it, with no love of God paramount--doing it so that thoughts…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-herrick/buying-possessing-accumulating-this-is-not-worldliness-but-doing-this/) [Robert Herrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-herrick/) > [Tears are the noble language of eyes, and when true love of words is destitute. The eye by tears speak, while the tongue is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-herrick/tears-are-the-noble-language-of-eyes-and-when-true-love-of-words-is/) [Robert Herrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-herrick/) > [Bid me to live, and I will live Thy Protestant to be: Or bid me love, and I will give A loving heart to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-herrick/bid-me-to-live-and-i-will-live-thy-protestant-to-be-or-bid-me-love/) [Robert Herrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-herrick/) > [That age is best which is the first When youth and blood are warmer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-herrick/that-age-is-best-which-is-the-first-when-youth-and-blood-are-warmer/) [Robert Herrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-herrick/) > [Show me thy feet, show me thy legs, thy thighs Show me those fleshy principalities; Show me that hill where smiling love doth sit,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-herrick/show-me-thy-feet-show-me-thy-legs-thy-thighs-show-me-those-fleshy/) [Robert Herrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-herrick/) > [Hast thou attempted greatnesse? Then go on; Back-turning slackens resolution.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-herrick/hast-thou-attempted-greatnesse-then-go-on-back-turning-slackens/) [Robert Herrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-herrick/) > [Attempt the end and never stand to doubt; Nothing's so hard, but search will find it out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-herrick/attempt-the-end-and-never-stand-to-doubt-nothing-s-so-hard-but-search/) [Robert Herrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-herrick/) > [The readiness of doing doth expresse No other but the doer's willingnesse.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-herrick/the-readiness-of-doing-doth-expresse-no-other-but-the-doer-s/) [Robert Herrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-herrick/) [Explore all 140 Robert Herrick quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-herrick/) ## More Body quotes > [Most of us are convinced that we are our egos, which is who we think we are. The ego is part of our incarnation.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ram-dass/most-of-us-are-convinced-that-we-are-our-egos-which-is-who-we-think/) [Ram Dass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ram-dass/) > [The very purpose for being in this body, for every one of us, is to live and rejoice in that virgin area, that untouched,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sri-sri-ravi-shankar/the-very-purpose-for-being-in-this-body-for-every-one-of-us-is-to/) [Sri Sri Ravi Shankar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sri-sri-ravi-shankar/) > [Because of the womb being a central phenomenon in the feminine body, the whole psychology of woman differs: she is non-aggressive, non-inquiring, non-questioning, non-doubting,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rajneesh/because-of-the-womb-being-a-central-phenomenon-in-the-feminine-body/) [Rajneesh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rajneesh/) > [When you're scared - and I mean really scared, not just hearing a noise in the night, or standing toe to toe with someone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-gordon-smith/when-you-re-scared-and-i-mean-really-scared-not-just-hearing-a-noise/) [Alexander Gordon Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-gordon-smith/) > [I've used the Phoenix Centrifuge to replicate what the body's going to go through on the flight up. I've also done some gravity tests…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-branson/i-ve-used-the-phoenix-centrifuge-to-replicate-what-the-body-s-going/) [Richard Branson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-branson/) > [Practically all animals which move fast in a homogeneous medium have found means of giving their body a streamlined shape, thereby reducing friction to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/konrad-lorenz/practically-all-animals-which-move-fast-in-a-homogeneous-medium-have/) [Konrad Lorenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/konrad-lorenz/) > [If the media is sending girls the message that their value lies in their bodies, this can only leave them feeling disempowered and distract…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-siebel-newsom/if-the-media-is-sending-girls-the-message-that-their-value-lies-in/) Jennifer Siebel Newsom > [Boys and boys' body image and clothes have become just as important an issue for boys as for girls.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosalind-wiseman/boys-and-boys-body-image-and-clothes-have-become-just-as-important-an/) [Rosalind Wiseman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosalind-wiseman/) > [By making conscious choices in our behavior and where we focus our attention, we can transform our experience of our body, decrease our biological…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deepak-chopra/by-making-conscious-choices-in-our-behavior-and-where-we-focus-our/) [Deepak Chopra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deepak-chopra/) > [Racism is a cancer. You cannot ignore it and it'll go away. If you ignore cancer, it simply metastasizes and consumes the whole body.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daryl-davis/racism-is-a-cancer-you-cannot-ignore-it-and-it-ll-go-away-if-you/) [Daryl Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daryl-davis/) > [America, you're sending girls a mixed message. On one hand, you're saying to have positive body image and love who we are; on the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adora-svitak/america-you-re-sending-girls-a-mixed-message-on-one-hand-you-re/) [Adora Svitak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adora-svitak/) > [I read a couple of books about neuroscience and the relationship between the mind and the body.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-kinnaman/i-read-a-couple-of-books-about-neuroscience-and-the-relationship/) [Joel Kinnaman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-kinnaman/) > [If japa is maintained, no useless talk during work will be possible. The mind will always remain peaceful. Modern day diseases are mostly psychosomatic.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mata-amritanandamayi/if-japa-is-maintained-no-useless-talk-during-work-will-be-possible/) [Mata Amritanandamayi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mata-amritanandamayi/) > [It is the incongruous thing in my entire life, this isolation.. ... My work requires it - but I myself have no need or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marsden-hartley/it-is-the-incongruous-thing-in-my-entire-life-this-isolation-my-work/) [Marsden Hartley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marsden-hartley/) > [My friends, this body - perhaps more than any other gathering in human history - now faces that difficult task.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonardo-dicaprio/my-friends-this-body-perhaps-more-than-any-other-gathering-in-human/) [Leonardo DiCaprio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonardo-dicaprio/) [Browse all 20,814 Body quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/body/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The body is the soul's poor house or home, whose ribs the laths are and whose flesh the loam.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Robert Herrick" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-herrick/the-body-is-the-soul-s-poor-house-or-home-whose-ribs-the-laths-are/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Body" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-herrick/the-body-is-the-soul-s-poor-house-or-home-whose-ribs-the-laths-are/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9e6/robert-herrick-3088_body_the-body-is-the-soul-s-poor-house-or-hom_347254.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9e6/robert-herrick-3088_body_the-body-is-the-soul-s-poor-house-or-hom_347254.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9e6/robert-herrick-3088_body_the-body-is-the-soul-s-poor-house-or-hom_347254.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“The body is the soul's poor house or home, whose ribs the laths are and whose flesh the loam.” — Robert Herrick", "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": "Robert Herrick", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-herrick/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "The body is the soul's poor...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-herrick/the-body-is-the-soul-s-poor-house-or-home-whose-ribs-the-laths-are/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-herrick/the-body-is-the-soul-s-poor-house-or-home-whose-ribs-the-laths-are/#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 } } ] } ```