Favorite Classic Poem, Prose, or Quote

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   Sunny Robinsonposted 15 years ago

   I'm new here, so I wanted to post my first topic on something I truly enjoy.  What is your favorite poem, prose, or quote?
   
   The one poem that has been my favorite through-out the years and still affects me to this day is Solitude by Ella Wheeler Wilcox.
   
   Laugh, and the world laughs with you;
   Weep, and you weep alone.
   For the sad old earth must borrow it's mirth,
   But has trouble enough of its own.
   Sing, and the hills will answer;
   Sigh, it is lost on the air.
   The echoes bound to a joyful sound,
   But shrink from voicing care.
   
   Rejoice, and men will seek you;
   Grieve, and they turn and go.
   They want full measure of all your pleasure,
   But they do not need your woe.
   Be glad, and your friends are many;
   Be sad, and you lose them all.
   There are none to decline your nectared wine,
   But alone you must drink life's gall.
   
   Feast, and your halls are crowded;
   Fast, and the world goes by.
   Succeed and give, and it helps you live,
   But no man can help you die.
   There is room in the halls of pleasure
   For a long and lordly train,
   But one by one we must all file on
   Through the narrow aisles of pain.

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      mohitmisraposted 15 years agoin reply to this

      I just loved the Kural by Tiruvalluvar a South Indian saint who wrote this masterpiece roughly eight hundred years ago.

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      1. 70

         earnestshubposted 15 years agoin reply to this

         It seems to be just as true today as it was then.

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2. 75

   Hauntyposted 15 years ago

   Great poets here on hp are plenty. You come to the right place. Welcome!

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3. 73

   Sunny Robinsonposted 15 years ago

   Thank you.

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4. 75

   Hauntyposted 15 years ago

   I'm sure we can learn from you too. Can't wait to see more hubs.
   My recent favorite quote is this:
   
   I heard a choir of small children sing this and to me it means that we have to respect the opinions of others if we want to build good relationships.
   My favorite poem is from Li Po, Chinese taoist poet.
   

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5. 59

   Pete Maidaposted 15 years ago

   “Violence is the last refuge of the incompetent.”
   Said by Hari Seldon in the Foundation Trilogy by Isaac Asimov.
   
   This is idea just makes sense to me.  If you’re too dumb to do anything else, you start a fight.

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6. 60

   Rotemposted 15 years ago

   My favorite quote:
   
   There is a very fine line between “hobby” and “mental illness.”

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   \Brenda Scullyposted 15 years ago

   absolutely true....... i have crossed the line

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8. 73

   Sunny Robinsonposted 15 years ago

   Rotem and Brenda, funny!
   
   Mohitmisra, I've never heard of it.  I'm going to find that and read it.  Thanks for sharing!
   
   Haunty, that's a beautiful poem! I'd never heard of that one, either.
   
   Pete Maida, I agree with you.  That's the same kind of philosophy my boyfriend has in dealing with his kids ("starting a fight over stupid things as a last resort is for the retarded")  so I definitely see the point.

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9. 0

   Janettaposted 15 years ago

   well...I don't know how classic it is, but this is a cute little poem I have always liked--
   
   Kisses kept are wasted
   Love is to be tasted
   Lips go dry and eyes grow wet
   Waiting to be warmly met
   Keep them not in waiting yet
   Kisses kept are wasted

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    spiderpamposted 15 years ago

    "The Greatest thing you'll ever learn is just to love and be loved in return" Moulin Rouge

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11. 73

    Sunny Robinsonposted 15 years ago

    Omg, spiderpam.  Even though it's not classic for the topic, that's my favorite quote ever.  I actually have an obsession with Moulin Rouge.
    
    Janetta, that *is* a cute poem.  I like it.

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12. 59

    scheinandrasposted 15 years ago

    i know It doesn't fit here really, but my favorite would be the little prince

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