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 →Do 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.
Elizabeth GilbertRead
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
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Persistence only proves persistence-it does not prove love. The fact that a romantic pursuer is relentless doesn't mean you are special-it means he is troubled.
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