Birth Quote by William Empson
“Twixt devil and deep sea, man hacks his caves; Birth, death; one, many; what is true, and seems; Earth's vast hot iron, cold space's empty waves.”
About This Quote
Source Poem: The Oxford Book of English Verse, 1900
The poem juxtaposes existential paradoxes, contrasting human ambition with nature's vast, indifferent forces.
In simple terms: Human struggle amid cosmic contradictions.
Key Takeaway
Embrace humility and focus on personal truth.
Themes
existentialism
nature
human ambition
Mood
reflective
melancholic
Type
poetic
philosophical
When to use this quote
- creative writing
- philosophical reflection
- personal journaling
Key Concepts
paradox
contradiction
humility
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you reconcile personal goals with indifferent forces?
- What truths emerge when confronting vastness?
A Different Perspective
The poem’s abstract imagery may obscure concrete guidance.
