Acquaintance Quote by William Butler Yeats
“Acquaintance; companion; One dear brilliant woman; The best-endowed, the elect, All by their youth undone, All, all, by that inhuman Bitter glory wrecked.”
About This Quote
Source Poem: "The Second Coming" (1919)
A lament of youthful potential corrupted by destructive, inhuman glory.
In simple terms: Youthful promise destroyed by cruel power.
Key Takeaway
Beware the corrupting lure of power.
Themes
youth
corruption
glory
despair
Mood
somber
reflective
Type
poetic
philosophical
When to use this quote
- historical analysis
- political critique
- personal reflection
Key Concepts
mythology
politics
Questions to Reflect On
- How does power corrupt innocence?
- Can glory be truly inhuman?
A Different Perspective
The poem’s tone may romanticize tragedy.
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