We must never expect discretion in first love: it is accompanied by such excessive joy that unless the joy is allowed to overflow, it will choke you.
Alexandre DumasRead
How did I escape? With difficulty. How did I plan this moment? With pleasure!
Interpretation
What this quote means
Success often comes through hard work and careful planning.
In this quote, Alexandre Dumas reflects on the duality of experiences encountered in the pursuit of achievement. The first part emphasizes that escaping challenges requires effort and struggle, while the second part reveals that the joy in the fulfillment of a plan makes the difficulties worthwhile. It highlights that success is both a hard-won battle and a source of great satisfaction.
Themes
SuccessPlanningDifficultyEffortPleasure
In practice
Example use cases
In a graduation speech to highlight the importance of perseverance.
More from Alexandre Dumas
All quotes βThere are two ways of seeing: with the body and with the soul. The body's sight can sometimes forget, but the soul remembers forever.
Alexandre DumasRead
I do not often laugh, sir, as you may perceive by the air of my countenance; but nevertheless, I retain the privilege of laughing when I please.
Alexandre DumasRead
There is neither happiness nor misery in the world; there is only the comparison of one state with another, nothing more. He who has felt the deepest grief is best able to experience supreme happiness.
Alexandre DumasRead
Those born to wealth, and who have the means of gratifying every wish, know not what is the real happiness of life, just as those who have been tossed on the stormy waters of the ocean on a few frail planks can alone realize the blessings of fair weather.
Alexandre DumasRead
It is the way of weakened minds to see everything through a black cloud. The soul forms its own horizons; your soul is darkened, and consequently the sky of the future appears stormy and unpromising
Alexandre DumasRead
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