Human affairs inspire in noble hearts only two feelings-admiration or pity.
Anatole FranceRead
Suffering... We owe to it all that is good in us, all that gives value to life; we owe to it pity, we owe to it courage, we owe to it all the virtues.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Suffering contributes to our growth and the development of our virtues.
Anatole France's quote emphasizes that suffering is an essential part of the human experience, ultimately shaping our character and instilling virtues like courage and empathy. It suggests that the challenges we face are what give our lives meaning and value, as they enable us to cultivate the qualities that define our humanity.
Themes
SufferingVirtuesLifeCourageGrowth
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about resilience, one could say, 'As Anatole France noted, suffering is essential to our personal growth.'
More from Anatole France
All quotes →Awaken people's curiosity. It is enough to open minds, do not overload them. Put there just a spark.
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In its majestic equality, the law forbids rich and poor alike to sleep under bridges, beg in the streets and steal loaves of bread.
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Justice is the means by which established injustices are sanctioned
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There is a certain impertinence in allowing oneself to be burned for an opinion.
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Lovers who love truly do not write down their happiness.
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