Our business in life is not to succeed, but to continue to fail in good spirits.
Robert Louis StevensonRead
An aim in life is the only fortune worth the finding; and it is not to be found in foreign lands, but in the heart itself.
Interpretation
The true treasure in life is having purpose, which comes from within rather than from external pursuits.
This quote emphasizes that the most valuable aspect of life is having a meaningful goal or aim, which can only be discovered through introspection and self-awareness. It suggests that external achievements or possessions cannot provide true fulfillment; instead, one must look inward to find what truly matters and drives them.
In practice
A motivational speaker might use this quote to encourage young adults to find their passions.
Our business in life is not to succeed, but to continue to fail in good spirits.
Like a bird singing in the rain, let grateful memories survive in time of sorrow.
That man is a success who has lived well, laughed often and loved much.
His past was fairly blameless; few men could read the rolls of their life with less apprehension; yet he was humbled to the dust by the many ill things he had done, and raised up again into sober and fearful gratitude by the many he had come so near to doing, yet avoided.
The habit of being happy enables one to be freed, or largely freed, from the domination of outward conditions.
It is the history of our kindnesses that alone make this world tolerable. If it were not for that, for the effect of kind words, kind looks, kind letters . . . I should be inclined to think our life a practical jest in the worst possible spirit.
Suddenly the nickel-clad horse takes the bit in its mouth and goes slanting for the curbstone defying all prayers and all your powers to change its mind - your heart stands still, your breath hangs fire, your legs forget to work.
I don't want to die an old lady.
I'm not okay, you're not okay, and that's okay.
Woke up this morning with a terrific urge to lie in bed all day and read. Fought against it for a minute. Then looked out the window at the rain. And gave over. Put myself entirely in the keep of this rainy morning. Would I live my life over again? Make the same unforgivable mistakes? Yes, given half a chance. Yes.
We are not perfect. The people around us are not perfect. People do things that annoy, disappoint, and anger. In this mortal life it will always be that way. Nevertheless, we must let go of our grievances. Part of the purpose of mortality is to learn how to let go of such things. That is the Lordβs way. Remember, heaven is filled with those who have this in common: They are forgiven. And they forgive.
if I were to begin my life again, I should want it as it was. I would only open my eyes a little more.
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