Fool
Fool - meaning Summary
Trust Beyond Self
The poem warns a self-reliant fool to stop burdening himself and to surrender cares to a greater, compassionate power. It contrasts barren self-help and covetous desire with the purity of sacred love, using the image of a lamp extinguished by desire to show how craving destroys inner light. The speaker urges refusing gifts born of unclean desire and accepting only what comes from loving, selfless giving.
Read Complete AnalysesO Fool, try to carry thyself upon thy own shoulders! O beggar, to come beg at thy own door! Leave all thy burdens on his hands who can bear all, and never look behind in regret. Thy desire at once puts out the light from the lamp it touches with its breath. It is unholy — take not thy gifts through its unclean hands. Accept only what is offered by sacred love.
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