"The flesh, alas, is sad, and I have read all the books"

This quote by Stephane Mallarme speaks to the sadness of the human condition. It suggests that regardless of having actually read all the books, the speaker is still left with a sense of sadness. This might be interpreted as a feeling of solitude or a lack of understanding of the world. It could likewise be analyzed as a sensation of despair, as if the speaker has read all the books and still has not found the answers they are looking for. The quote could likewise be interpreted as a tip that knowledge is inadequate to make us delighted, and that we should likewise discover happiness in the real world. Ultimately, this quote talks to the concept that understanding is not enough to bring us true happiness, and that we need to also discover joy in the physical world.