This poignant question expresses profound weariness and a search for inner peace amidst life's arduous journey. It conveys a universal human longing for respite from struggles, highlighting the emotional toll of enduring hardship and the quest for spiritual or emotional sanctuary.
Quote by Du Fu: “The road is hard. The road is long. Where will my heart find rest?”
The road is hard. The road is long. Where will my heart find rest?
Insight
Historical Context
During the An Lushan Rebellion, Du Fu was forced to travel extensively, often in difficult conditions, fleeing conflict and seeking stability for his family. This period was marked by personal hardship and displacement, deeply influencing his poetry.
About the Author
Tang dynasty Chinese poet whose work earned him the title Poet Sage, one of the two supreme poets of classical Chinese literature alongside Li Bai. His poetry, unlike Li Bai's romanticism, is marked by Confucian social concern and direct engagement with the suffering caused by war and famine. He lived through the devastating An Lushan Rebellion and his poems of that period are considered among the greatest war poetry in any language.
View all quotes by Du Fu