Hunt Quote by Sir Thomas Wyatt
““Whoso List to Hunt Whoso list to hunt, I know where is an hind, But as for me, helas! I may no more. The vain travail hath worried me so sore, I am of them that furthest come behind. Yet may I by no means, my worried mind Draw from the deer; but as she fleeth afore Fainting I follow. I leave off therefore, Since in a net I seek to hold the wind. Who list her hunt, I put him out of doubt, As well as I, may spend his time in vain; And graven in diamonds in letters plain There is written, her fair neck round about, "Noli me tangere, for Caesar's I am, And wild to hold, though I seem tame." Sir Thomas Wyatt””
About This Quote
Source Poem: "Whoso List to Hunt" by Sir Thomas Wyatt, 1540s
The speaker likens love to an impossible hunt, warning that the beloved is unattainable and that pursuit leads to frustration and emptiness.
In simple terms: Love is portrayed as a futile chase.
Key Takeaway
Accept love’s limits and seek healthier connections.
Themes
love
unattainability
frustration
selfawareness
Mood
melancholic
reflective
Type
poetic
literary
When to use this quote
- romantic pursuit
- personal reflection
- relationship counseling
Key Concepts
courtly love
renunciation
illusion
Questions to Reflect On
- Do you chase what you cannot have?
- How can you honor yourself without pursuing the impossible?
A Different Perspective
The metaphor may romanticize suffering, ignoring self‑worth.
