Personal relations are the important thing for ever and ever, and not this outer life of telegrams and anger.
E. M. ForsterRead
Those who prepared for all the emergencies of life beforehand may equip themselves at the expense of joy.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Preparing excessively for life's challenges can diminish one's capacity to enjoy the present moment.
In this quote, E. M. Forster suggests that while it is wise to prepare for potential challenges or emergencies in life, an overemphasis on preparation can lead to a lack of joy and enjoyment in current experiences. This highlights the importance of balance between foresight and living in the moment.
Themes
PreparationJoyLifeBalanceEmergencies
In practice
Example use cases
Use this quote in a speech about work-life balance.
More from E. M. Forster
All quotes βA poem is true if it hangs together. Information points to something else. A poem points to nothing but itself.
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One must be fond of people and trust them if one is not to make a mess of life.
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Oxford is Oxford: not a mere receptacle for youth, like Cambridge. Perhaps it wants its inmates to love it rather than to love one another.
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The fact is we can only love what we know personally. And we cannot know much. In public affairs, in the rebuilding of civilization, something less dramatic and emotional is needed, namely tolerance.
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One person with passion is better than forty people merely interested.
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