You know the old adage: Plant an expectation, reap a disappointment.
Elizabeth GilbertRead
I had always been taught that the pursuit of happiness was my natural (even national) birthright. It is the emotional trademark of my culture to seek happiness. Not just any kind of happiness, either, but profound happiness, even soaring happiness. And what could possibly bring a person more soaring happiness than romantic love.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote emphasizes the cultural belief in pursuing profound happiness, particularly through romantic love.
Elizabeth Gilbert articulates the idea that the search for happiness is a fundamental right and expectation in her culture. She highlights that this pursuit is not only about any form of happiness, but aiming for a deep, fulfilling joy, which she associates most closely with romantic love. Through this lens, love becomes a key avenue for achieving the ultimate state of happiness.
Themes
HappinessLovePursuitCultureJoy
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used in a speech about love and relationships.
More from Elizabeth Gilbert
All quotes βDo not apologize for crying. Without this emotion, we are only robots.
Elizabeth GilbertRead
When I tried this morning, after an hour or so of unhappy thinking, to dip back into my meditation, I took a new idea with me: compassion. I asked my heart if it could please infuse my soul with a more generous perspective on my mind's workings. Instead of thinking that I was a failure, could I perhaps accept that I am only a human being--and a normal one, at that?
Elizabeth GilbertRead
And when you sense a faint potentiality for happiness after such dark times you must grab onto the ankles of that happiness and not let go until it drags you face-first out of the dirt - this is not selfishness, but obligation. You were given life; it is your duty to find something beautiful within life no matter how slight.
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But never again use another person's body or emotions as a scratching post for your own unfulfilling yearnings.
Elizabeth GilbertRead
Your home is whatever in this world you love more than you love yourself.
Elizabeth GilbertRead
Similar quotes
There is a secret about human love that is commonly overlooked: Receiving it is much more scary and threatening than giving it. How many times in your life have you been unable to let in someone's love or even pushed it away? Much as we proclaim the wish to be truly loved, we are often afraid of that, and so find it difficult to open to love or let it all the way in.
John WelwoodRead
The love that you withhold is the pain that you carry.
Ralph Waldo EmersonRead
If I acknowledge my dependency, I do so because for me it is a means of signifying my demand: in the realm of love, futility is not a "weakness" or an "absurdity": it is a strong sign: the more futile, the more it signifies and the more it asserts itself as strength.)
Roland BarthesRead
I've always been attracted to girls whose hearts are the biggest thing about them. People can be very sweet and kind to others who can do a lot for them. I want to find a girl who will be the same person to those who can't do anything for her in return.
Tim TebowRead
Life's greatest happiness is to be convinced we are loved.
Victor HugoRead
I made a wish on this tree years ago," Marco says. "What did you wish for?" Bailey asks. Marco leans forward and whispers in Bailey's ear. "I wished for her.
Erin MorgensternRead