--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I will kneel and strike my breast, then…" description: "\"I will kneel and strike my breast, then touch the dust with my forehead; I will, I will. Only do not forsake me, oh god of beauty.\" — Theodore Dreiser" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d0e/theodore-dreiser-8057_beauty_i-will-kneel-and-strike-my-breast-then-t_2467112.jpg" --- # I will kneel and strike my breast, then touch the dust… ![“I will kneel and strike my breast, then touch the dust with my forehead; I will, I will. Only do not forsake me, oh god of beauty.” quote by Theodore Dreiser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d0e/theodore-dreiser-8057_beauty_i-will-kneel-and-strike-my-breast-then-t_2467112.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d0e/theodore-dreiser-8057_beauty_i-will-kneel-and-strike-my-breast-then-t_2467112.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d0e/theodore-dreiser-8057_beauty_i-will-kneel-and-strike-my-breast-then-t_2467112.jpg) > “I will kneel and strike my breast, then touch the dust with my forehead; I will, I will. Only do not forsake me, oh god of beauty.” [Theodore Dreiser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-dreiser/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A plea for divine beauty and protection, expressing deep devotion and self‑sacrifice. **In simple terms:** Prays for beauty’s god to not abandon him. Key Takeaway Seek higher purpose and humility. Themes faith beauty devotion Mood melancholic hopeful Type poetic spiritual When to use this quote - personal crises - artistic inspiration - rituals Key Concepts spiritual yearning self‑sacrifice Questions to Reflect On - What does beauty represent for you? - How can you balance devotion with self‑care? A Different Perspective May be seen as excessive self‑punishment. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Beauty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/beauty/) [Breast Touch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/breast-touch-656052/) [Breasts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/breasts/) [Dust](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dust/) [Dust Forehead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dust-forehead-721297/) [Forehead Forsake](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/forehead-forsake-721295/) [Foreheads](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/foreheads/) [God Beauty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/god-beauty/) [Oh god](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/oh-god/) [Strike Breast](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/strike-breast-721296/) [Strikes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/strikes/) ## Related quotes > [I sacrifice to the God of Beauty — the impulse to beauty in nature. Here are flowers. 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This…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paramahansa-yogananda/we-should-bathe-our-spirits-in-the-deep-pure-feeling-that-stirs/) [Paramahansa Yogananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paramahansa-yogananda/) ## More by Theodore Dreiser > [A real flame of love is a subtle thing. It burns as a will-o'-the-wisp, dancing onward to fairy lands of delight. It roars as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-dreiser/a-real-flame-of-love-is-a-subtle-thing-it-burns-as-a-will-o-the-wisp/) [Theodore Dreiser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-dreiser/) > [“Cowperwood was shocked by the nudity of the Venus which conveyed an atmosphere of European freedom not common to America;”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-dreiser/cowperwood-was-shocked-by-the-nudity-of-the-venus-which-conveyed-an/) [Theodore Dreiser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-dreiser/) > [“...the past was so painful at any point. 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