Aces Quote by William Ernest Henley
![“Behold me waiting—waiting for the knife… The thick, sweet mystery of chloroform, The drunken dark, the little death-in-life… [F]ace to face with chance, I shrink a little: My hopes are strong, my will is something weak. ...I am ready But, gentlemen my porters, life is brittle: You carry Cæsar and…” quote by William Ernest Henley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/a68/william-ernest-henley-15193_aces_behold-me-waiting-waiting-for-the-knife_269698.jpg)
“Behold me waiting—waiting for the knife… The thick, sweet mystery of chloroform, The drunken dark, the little death-in-life… [F]ace to face with chance, I shrink a little: My hopes are strong, my will is something weak. ...I am ready But, gentlemen my porters, life is brittle: You carry Cæsar and his fortunes—steady!”
About This Quote
Source Poem: “The Death of the Hired Man” (excerpt), William Ernest Henley, 1892
The speaker feels fragile, confronting fate and inner weakness while yearning for strength.
In simple terms: Life feels fragile and hopes are weak.
Key Takeaway
Accept vulnerability and seek inner resolve.
Themes
fragility
hope
will
fate
Mood
melancholic
introspective
Type
literary
emotional
When to use this quote
- artistic creation
- mental health
- risk taking
- personal crisis
Key Concepts
existentialism
psychology
poetry
Questions to Reflect On
- What does “life is brittle” mean to you?
- How do you balance hope with weakness?
A Different Perspective
The metaphor of “Cæsar” may overstate personal burden.
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