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Wings to fly Quote by T.S Eliot

“Because I do not hope to turn again Because I do not hope Because I do not hope to turn Desiring this man's gift and that man's scope I no longer strive to strive towards such things (Why should the aged eagle stretch its wings?) Why should I mourn The vanished power of the usual reign? Because I…” quote by T.S Eliot
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““Because I do not hope to turn again Because I do not hope Because I do not hope to turn Desiring this man's gift and that man's scope I no longer strive to strive towards such things (Why should the aged eagle stretch its wings?) Why should I mourn The vanished power of the usual reign? Because I do not hope to know again The infirm glory of the positive hour Because I do not think Because I know I shall not know The one veritable transitory power Because I cannot drink There, where trees flower, and springs flow, for there is nothing again Because I know that time is always time And place is always and only place And what is actual is actual only for one time And only for one place I rejoice that things are as they are and I renounce the blessed face And renounce the voice Because I cannot hope to turn again Consequently I rejoice, having to construct something Upon which to rejoice And pray to God to have mercy upon us And pray that I may forget These matters that with myself I too much discuss Too much explain Because I do not hope to turn again Let these words answer For what is done, not to be done again May the judgement not be too heavy upon us Because these wings are no longer wings to fly But merely vans to beat the air The air which is now thoroughly small and dry Smaller and dryer than the will Teach us to care and not to care Teach us to sit still. Pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death Pray for us now and at the hour of our death.””

T.S Eliot

About This Quote

Source Poem: The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock, 1915

The speaker rejects hope and ambition, embracing acceptance of life's limits and finding peace in the present.

In simple terms: Accept limits, find peace now.

Key Takeaway

Embrace present, let go of yearning.

Themes

acceptance philosophy spirituality

Mood

contemplative melancholic

Type

poetic philosophical spiritual

When to use this quote

  • grief
  • aging
  • spiritual reflection
  • letting go
  • finding purpose

Key Concepts

existentialism nihilism determinism

Questions to Reflect On

  • What does acceptance look like in your life?
  • How can you find meaning without future hope?
A Different Perspective

Hope can trap us in endless striving, limiting growth.

2.1 out of 5 (6 ratings)

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