I have a heart to be stabbed in or shot in, I have no doubt, and, of course, if it ceased to beat, I would cease to be. But you know what I mean. I have no softness there, no—sympathy—sentiment—nonsense.
Interpretation
The quote reflects on the complex nature of human emotions and the acknowledgment of vulnerability amidst a lack of sentimentality.
In this quote, Charles Dickens discusses the inherent vulnerability of having deep emotions while simultaneously rejecting any notions of softness or unnecessary sentimentality. He acknowledges the capacity for pain and suffering, suggesting that while one is emotionally capable of being hurt, it does not lead to an overwhelming depth of sympathy or softness, implying a more stoic approach to human experience and relationships.
In practice
In a motivational speech about resilience, this quote can be used to illustrate how hardship can be faced without succumbing to sentimentality.
I recollected one story there was in the village, how that on a certain night in the year (it might be that very night for anything I knew), all the dead people came out of the ground and sat at the heads of their own graves till morning.
A silent look of affection and regard when all other eyes are turned coldly away-the consciousness that we possess the sympathy and affection of one being when all others have deserted us-is a hold, a stay, a comfort, in the deepest affliction, which no wealth could purchase, or power bestow.
Heaven knows we need never be ashamed of our tears, for they are rain upon the blinding dust of earth, overlying our hard hearts. I was better after I had cried, than before--more sorry, more aware of my own ingratitude, more gentle.
There are not a few among the disciples of charity who require, in their vocation, scarcely less excitement than the votaries of pleasure in theirs.
You might, from your appearance, be the wife of Lucifer,” said Miss Pross, in her breathing. “Nevertheless, you shall not get the better of me. I am an Englishwoman.
Christmas is a poor excuse every 25th of December to pick a man's pockets.
A sign of a culture that has lost its faith - Moral collapse follows upon spiritual collapse.
Had every Athenian citizen been a Socrates, every Athenian assembly would still have been a mob.
Rather than understand the original cause-a thought-we try to change the stressful feelings by looking outside ourselves.
We would be in a nasty position indeed if empirical science were the only kind of science possible.
Death is woven in with the violets,” said Louis. “Death and again death.”)
Some prices are just too high, no matter how much you may want the prize. The one thing you can't trade for your heart's desire is your heart.
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