Quote by Thomas Hardy: “If an epitaph were to be written on the human race, it might well be: 'It meant well.'”

Hardy offers a darkly humorous and poignant commentary on humanity's often-flawed endeavors. He suggests that despite good intentions, human efforts frequently result in less-than-ideal outcomes, often with tragic consequences.

"The Dynasts" is an epic drama covering the Napoleonic Wars, a period of immense human suffering and ambition, allowing Hardy to reflect on the broader tragic arc of human history.

English novelist and poet whose work portrayed the harsh realities of rural Victorian life with unflinching honesty. His major novels include Tess of the d'Urbervilles and Far from the Madding Crowd, and his poetry is noted for its bleak tenderness.