Life must be lived and curiosity kept alive. One must never, for whatever reason, turn his back on life.
Eleanor RooseveltRead
It takes courage to love, but pain through love is the purifying fire which those who love generously know. We all know people who are so much afraid of pain that they shut themselves up like clams in a shell and, giving out nothing, receive nothing and therefore shrink until life is a mere living death.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Loving requires bravery, and though love can bring pain, it also leads to personal growth and fulfillment.
Eleanor Roosevelt emphasizes that love, while inherently courageous, often comes with the risk of pain. This pain can serve as a transformative experience for those who embrace it, as it fosters generosity and passion in relationships. In contrast, those who fear emotional suffering tend to isolate themselves, leading to a diminished existence lacking in true connection and vitality.
Themes
CourageLovePainGrowthConnection
In practice
Example use cases
During a wedding speech, highlighting the importance of embracing love despite its challenges.
More from Eleanor Roosevelt
All quotes →Great minds discuss ideas; average minds discuss events; small minds discuss people.
Eleanor RooseveltRead
You have to accept whatever comes and the only important thing is that you meet it with courage and with the best that you have to give.
Eleanor RooseveltRead
Our children should learn the general framework of their government and then they should know where they come in contact with the government, where it touches their daily lives and where their influence is exerted on the government. It must not be a distant thing, someone else's business, but they must see how every cog in the wheel of a democracy is important and bears its share of responsibility for the smooth running of the entire machine.
Eleanor RooseveltRead
It takes courage to love, but pain through love is the purifying fire which those who love generously know.
Eleanor RooseveltRead
I believe that anyone can conquer fear by doing the things he fears to do.
Eleanor RooseveltRead
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