So what exactly are the rewards of resentment. It is always a relief to know that the reason we have failed in life is not because we lack the talent, energy, or determination to succeed, but because of a factor that is beyond our control and that has loaded the dice decisively against us.
Interpretation
Resentment can provide a false sense of relief by attributing failure to external factors.
In this quote, Theodore Dalrymple discusses how resentment can serve as a psychological comfort, allowing individuals to blame their failures on uncontrollable external circumstances rather than on their own abilities or efforts. This perspective highlights the danger of attributing oneβs lack of success to factors outside of oneβs control, as it might momentarily relieve the emotional burden of failure but ultimately hinders personal growth and accountability.
In practice
In a motivational speech about overcoming adversity.
It is clear to me that people often want incompatible things. They want danger and excitement on the one hand, and safety and security on the other, and often simultaneously. Contradictory desires mean that life can never be wholly satisfying or without frustration.
Where a reputation for intolerance is more feared than a reputation for vice itself, all manner of evil may be expected to flourish.
If a man knows precisely what he can do to you or what epithet he can hurl against you in order to make you lose your temper, your equilibrium, then he can always keep you under subjection.
Nothing's a gift, it's all on loan
If a traveller does not meet with one who is his better, or his equal, let him firmly keep to his solitary journey; there is no companionship with a fool.
Though thousand times a thousand in battle one may conquer, yet should one conquer just oneself, one is the greatest conqueror.
The best security for civilization is the dwelling, and upon properly appointed and becoming dwellings depends, more than anything else, the improvement of mankind.
There is no emptiness without appearance, and there is no appearance without emptiness. That is what we call the interdependent nature.
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