Burning The Candle At Both Ends Collection

Burning the candle at both ends C014 / 1258
Burning the candle at both ends. Conceptual image of a candle that is lit at both ends, representing overwork and exhaustion

Judge (Qazi) of Hamadan in a Drunken State, a scene from the Gulistan of Sa di, about 1550

Desperate young man wearing a suit holding his hands to his face, worried

Young man wearing a suit holding his hand on his forehead, worried

Old lead letters, lettering BURNOUT

Desperate young man wearing a suit covering his face with his hand, screaming

Austrian Infantry passing through a burnt-out village. (Photo by Topical Press Agency/Getty Images)

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Burning the candle at both ends (C014 / 1258): A modern-day allegory unfolds as a desperate young man, worn out and exhausted, clutches his face in despair. His suit and worried expression mirror the burnt-out match in the foreground, a symbol of his mental and physical exhaustion. Flashbacks reveal late nights, endless work, and mounting pressure, reminiscent of the judge in the Gulistan of Saadi, found in a drunken state. The past, present, and future merge as he contemplates the consequences of his relentless pursuit, with the row of unlit matches ominously representing the opportunities he let slip away. The Austrian Infantry's disciplined ranks stand in stark contrast to his chaotic existence, serving as a reminder that balance is key to avoiding the perils of burnout.