“Lord save us all from old age and broken health and a hope tree that has lost the faculty of putting out blossoms.”
- November 30, 1835 – April 21, 1910
- American
- Author, humorist, and lecturer
- Wrote masterpieces such as “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer” and “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn,” and had a major influence on American literature
table of contents
Quote
“Lord save us all from old age and broken health and a hope tree that has lost the faculty of putting out blossoms.”
Explanation
Mark Twain’s quote reflects his wry view of aging, health, and the loss of hope. By invoking the image of a “hope tree” that has lost its ability to blossom, Twain symbolically represents the human spirit—a tree that once held potential, vitality, and promise but is now withering. The “hope tree” losing its ability to bloom speaks to how disillusionment, fatigue, and broken health can strip away the joy and possibilities that life once offered. Twain’s humor is a bit dark here, as he acknowledges the inevitable decline that comes with age and poor health, but he also presents it in a way that is both poignant and relatable. The wish to be saved from these afflictions reflects the universal fear of losing vitality, hope, and the capacity for growth or renewal as we grow older.
Twain often used humor to deal with difficult subjects like aging and illness, and in this case, he uses the metaphor of a tree to express the loss of potential and hope that many people experience in their later years. The “broken health” that accompanies old age is often viewed as a threat to life’s richness, leaving people to feel like their capacity for renewal or change is gone, just as a tree that can no longer blossom loses its connection to the promise of spring.
In modern contexts, this quote resonates with the way society often fears the loss of vitality and independence that comes with aging or health issues. It also speaks to the emotional and psychological toll that aging can take on a person, especially when they feel like they no longer have the energy or ability to pursue their dreams and hopes. Twain’s words offer a humorous yet sincere reflection on the challenges of growing old, while also emphasizing the importance of hope and the ability to keep blooming, even when life feels difficult.
