I tried to think of my knowledge, but it was a squirrel's heap of winter nuts. There was no strength in my knowledge any more and I felt small and naked as a new-hatched bird.
Stephen Vincent BenetRead
It is hard to put aside partisanship. It is hard to give up the easy wisecracking jeer that divides and destroys. It is hard - very hard - to have worked sincerely and wholeheartedly for a cause and to have lost. Most of all, it is hard to put aside personal prejudices. And yet we must put these things aside.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote emphasizes the difficulty of overcoming biases and divisions in the pursuit of a collective good.
Stephen Vincent Benet reflects on the challenges faced in transcending partisanship, personal biases, and the emotional toll of defeat. He acknowledges the instinctual tendency to resort to ridicule and division, highlighting that while such attitudes may feel justified, they ultimately hinder progress and understanding. The call to set aside these divisive elements is a plea for unity and a commitment to a higher purpose.
Themes
PartisanshipBiasUnityPrejudiceSincerity
In practice
Example use cases
During a political debate to encourage mutual understanding among opposing views.
More from Stephen Vincent Benet
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It is forbidden to go east, but I have gone, forbidden to go on the great river, but I am there. Open your hearts, you spirits, and hear my song.
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Our fathers and ourselves sowed dragon's teeth. Our children know and suffer the armed men.
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You can't depend on the kind of folks people think they are - you've got to go by what they do. And I wouldn't give much for a man that some folks hadn't thought was a fool, in his time.
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Go play with the towns you have built of blocks, The towns where you would have bound me! I sleep in my earth like a tired fox, And my bufdfalo have found me.
Stephen Vincent BenetRead
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