Life Quote by T.S. Eliot
““Here we go round the prickly pear Prickly pear prickly pear Here we go round the prickly pear At five o’clock in the morning. Between the idea And the reality Between the motion And the act Falls the Shadow For Thine is the Kingdom Between the conception And the creation Between the emotion And the response Falls the Shadow Life is very long Between the desire And the spasm Between the potency And the existence Between the essence And the descent Falls the Shadow For Thine is the Kingdom For Thine is Life is For Thine is the This is the way the world ends This is the way the world ends This is the way the world ends Not with a bang but a whimper.””
About This Quote
Source Poem: The Hollow Men, 1925
The poem juxtaposes lofty ideas with harsh reality, showing how aspirations are eclipsed by doubt and the inevitable decline of humanity.
In simple terms: Great ideas clash with reality, leading to disappointment and decline.
Key Takeaway
Recognize the gap between vision and outcome.
Themes
disillusionment
existentialism
human frailty
illusion
finality
Mood
somber
reflective
melancholic
Type
literary
philosophical
poetic
When to use this quote
- personal reflection
- art criticism
- philosophical essay
- creative writing
- academic lecture
Key Concepts
nihilism
shadow metaphor
creational paradox
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you bridge the gap between your ideals and reality?
- What can transform the “shadow” into light?
A Different Perspective
The poem’s bleak tone may overlook moments of hope or resilience.
