Some say the world will end in fire,
Some say in ice.
From what I've tasted of desire
I hold with those who favor fire.
But if it had to perish twice,
I think I know enough of hate
To say that for destruction ice
Is also great
And would suffice.

 When someone’s words have an “icy” tone, they are cold, unfeeling, and usually meant to be harmful. In contrast with fire, which is about self-gain, ice is more about bringing another person down. People are almost equally set on making sure that their enemies do not rise above them as they are about taking the most for themselves. 
 The words “desire” and “hate” seem to portray humanity’s strife as a kind of lovers' quarrel writ large. (Frost’s own self-written epitaph is “I Had A Lovers' Quarrel With The World”). 
 Frost is honest enough to disclose that within himself lie enough of depravity so that he can “know” about desire and hate. He does not pretend that these maladies belong only to others or the worst among us.
Fire and Ice