A brass spoon releases a drop into rippling water in a small turquoise bowl against coral.

Original artwork, not a still

Samuel Johnson

I had done all that I could; and no man is well pleased to have his all neglected, be it ever so little.

Behind the line

What it means

Our interpretation.

The speaker insists they gave everything they were able to give. Even if that everything was modest, being ignored still stings, and nobody is happy to see their whole effort brushed aside merely because it was small.

Context reviewed

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