Despair is the price one pays for setting oneself an impossible aim

Despair is the price one pays for setting oneself an impossible aim

In life you need either inspiration or desperation.

In life you need either inspiration or desperation.

The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation. What is called resignation is confirmed desperation ... A stereotyped but read more

The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation. What is called resignation is confirmed desperation ... A stereotyped but unconscious despair is concealed even under what are called the games and amusements of mankind.

They have tied me to a stake. I cannot fly,
But bear-like I must fight the course.

They have tied me to a stake. I cannot fly,
But bear-like I must fight the course.

Discomfort guides my tongue
And bids me speak of nothing but despair.

Discomfort guides my tongue
And bids me speak of nothing but despair.

What we call despair is often only the painful eagerness of unfed hope.

What we call despair is often only the painful eagerness of unfed hope.

Never despair while under the guidance and auspices of Teucer.
[Lat., Nil desperandum Teucro duce et auspice Teucro.]

Never despair while under the guidance and auspices of Teucer.
[Lat., Nil desperandum Teucro duce et auspice Teucro.]

Alas for him who never sees
The stars shine through his cypress-trees
Who, hopeless, lays his dead read more

Alas for him who never sees
The stars shine through his cypress-trees
Who, hopeless, lays his dead away,
Nor looks to see the breaking day
Across the mournful marbles play!

Despair is like forward children, who, when you take away one of their playthings, throw the rest into the fire read more

Despair is like forward children, who, when you take away one of their playthings, throw the rest into the fire for madness. It grows angry with itself, turns its own executioner, and revenges its misfortunes on its own head.