I have never known any distress that an hour's reading did not relieve.
Baron De MontesquieuRead
If we only wanted to be happy, it would be easy; but we want to be happier than other people, and that is almost always difficult, since we think them happier than they are.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Happiness is complicated by our comparisons with others, making it harder to achieve true contentment.
This quote by Baron De Montesquieu reflects the human tendency to comparison, which complicates our pursuit of happiness. Instead of focusing on our own fulfillment, we often measure our joy against the perceived happiness of others, leading to dissatisfaction and a never-ending pursuit for more than what we have.
Themes
HappinessComparisonContentmentPerceptionSatisfaction
In practice
Example use cases
During a motivational speech about achieving personal goals, one could use this quote to highlight the dangers of comparison.
More from Baron De Montesquieu
All quotes →Law in general is human reason, inasmuch as it governs all the inhabitants of the earth: the political and civil laws of each nation ought to be only the particular cases in which human reason is applied.
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To become truly great, one has to stand with people, not above them.
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Love of the republic in a democracy, is a love of the democracy; love of the democracy is that of equality. Love of the democracy is likewise that of frugality.
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It is not the young people that degenerate; they are not spoiled till those of mature age are already sunk into corruption.
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If you would be holy, instruct your children, because all the good acts they perform will be imputed to you.
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