My chief study all my life has been to lighten misfortunes and multiply pleasures, as far as human nature can.
Interpretation
The quote suggests that the speaker has dedicated their life to alleviating suffering and enhancing joy for humanity.
Mary Wortley Montagu reflects on her life's work and purpose, emphasizing her commitment to reducing the hardships faced by individuals while simultaneously increasing their happiness. This dual focus on both minimizing distress and maximizing joy illustrates a profound understanding of human nature and the pursuit of a fulfilling life.
In practice
In a motivational speech about the importance of positivity, this quote can inspire others to focus on spreading joy.
I regard almost all quarrels of princes on the same footing, and I see nothing that marks man's unreason so positively as war. Indeed, what folly to kill one another for interests often imaginary, and always for the pleasure of persons who do not think themselves even obliged to those who sacrifice themselves for them!
Whoever will cultivate their own mind will find full employment. Every virtue does not only require great care in the planting, but as much daily solicitude in cherishing as exotic fruits and flowers; the vices and passions (which I am afraid are the natural product of the soil) demand perpetual weeding. Add to this the search after knowledge. . . and the longest life is too short.
There is no remedy so easy as books, which if they do not give cheerfulness, at least restore quiet to the most troubled mind.
Strictly speaking, there is but one real evil: I mean acute pain. All other complaints are so considerably diminished by time that it is plain the grief is owing to our passion, since the sensation of it vanishes when that is over.
Of the blessings set before you make your choice, and be content. No man can taste the fruits of autumn while he is delighting his scent with the flowers of the spring: no man can, at the same time, fill his cup from the source and from the mouth of the Nile.
Hold fast to the Bible as the sheet-anchor of your liberties; write its precepts in your hearts, and practice them in your lives.
Laugh at yourself, but don't ever aim your doubt at yourself.
He who trusts secrets to a servant makes him his master
You have no responsibility to live up to what other people think you ought to accomplish. I have no responsibility to be like they expect me to be. It's their mistake, not my failing.
Better than a meaningless story of a thousand words is a single word of deep meaning which, when heard, produces peace.
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