He often describes this world as a vale of tears.
vale of tears
idiomThe world, a place where difficulties and the sorrows of life are felt, especially (Christianity) as a place to be left behind when one dies and goes to heaven.
Origin
first recorded 17th c. disputed originCalque of Latin lacrimārum vallis from the “Salve Regina” (a hymn to the Virgin Mary), based on Hebrew עמק הבכא (ʿēmeq habbāḵāʾ) from Psalm 84:6 of the Bible. The Hebrew term may mean “valley of the baka tree”, a tree of uncertain species (compare 2 Samuel 5:23–24 where baka is used to refer to a tree, and is often translated into English as “balsam tree”, “mulberry tree”, or “poplar tree”), but ancient Greek translations assumed the word intended was בָּכָה (bakhá, “to cry, weep”) and so rendered the term as “valley of weeping”, which was then used in Latin and English translations. See, for example, the Douay–Rheims Bible (1610) where the verse is numbered as Psalm 83:6.
The poet wrote about finding beauty and hope even while living in this difficult vale of tears.
Throughout the long centuries of hardship, many people viewed their earthly existence as nothing more than a temporary, sorrowful vale of tears.
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blood, sweat and tears
A person's determination and hard work.
- 02
burst into tears
To suddenly start crying or sobbing.
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end in tears
To end badly.
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move someone to tears
to cause to cry
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reduce someone to tears
To cause to cry.
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tears before bedtime
Harm or damage that is incurred before a matter is concluded.
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two tears in a bucket
Used to express an acceptance of misfortune.
Last updated April 17, 2026