Fool Quote by William Butler Yeats
“Being young you have not known The fool's triumph, nor yet Love lost as soon as won, Nor the best labourer dead And all the sheaves to bind.”
About This Quote
Source Poem: "The Tower", 1928
The speaker reflects on youthful innocence, unaware of the fleeting nature of triumph, love, and the inevitable loss of labor and harvest.
In simple terms: Youth misses life's temporary victories and losses.
Key Takeaway
Recognize impermanence early.
Themes
youth
impermanence
love
loss
Mood
reflective
melancholic
Type
poetic
philosophical
When to use this quote
- first love
- career beginnings
- family bereavement
- project completion
Key Concepts
existentialism
transience
poetry
Questions to Reflect On
- How might awareness of impermanence shape your choices?
- What victories feel most fleeting?
A Different Perspective
Youthful naiveté can blind one to inevitable change.
