# A Soaring Toad explained — Poetry

> Chapter companion for Poetry by Ambrose Bierce.

## What happens

The narrator addresses Waterman, criticizing his ambition and disillusionment with public service. The poem argues that those unfit for high office should remain in humble roles, as society quickly turns on those who rise beyond their competence.

## Themes in this chapter

### Political Satire

Satirizes the foolishness of political ambition and the public's fickle respect for those in power.

### Hypocrisy and Corruption

Highlights hypocrisy in how society elevates and then despises incompetent leaders, and whispers of lawbreaking.

## Character check-ins

### Waterman

Addressed directly; criticized for his ambition and disillusionment with serving again.

## Key lines

> You find it all is vanity and pain⁠— One clump of clover in a field of stubble⁠— One grain of pleasure in a peck of trouble.

You see life as mostly trouble with only rare moments of happiness.

_Expresses Waterman's disillusionment._

> A clumsy bear makes but a sorry show Climbing a pole. Let him, judicious, sit With dignity at bottom of his pit, And none his awkwardness will ever know.

An incompetent person should stay in a lowly position where their flaws are hidden.

_Advises Waterman to accept his limitations._

> When folly blooms we trample it the more For having cultivated it before.

We despise foolishness even more after we once encouraged it.

_Critique of public opinion's fickleness._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_se/chapters/a-soaring-toad
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_se/chapters