Each in the most hidden sack kept the lost jewels of memory, intense love, secret nights and permanent kisses, the fragment of public or private happiness. A few, the wolves, collected thighs, other men loved the dawn scratching mountain ranges or ice floes, locomotives, numbers. For me happiness was to share singing, praising, cursing, crying with a thousand eyes. I ask forgiveness for my bad ways: my life had no use on earth.
Interpretation
The quote reflects on the personal and varied definitions of happiness, emphasizing shared experiences over material pursuits.
Pablo Neruda's quote highlights the complexity of happiness, suggesting that it is found not in material possessions or solitary pursuits but in shared emotional experiences with others. It contrasts the superficial collection of moments with the deep, often secret joys and sorrows that characterize genuine human connections, embracing the idea that true fulfillment comes from singing, praising, and connecting with those around us.
In practice
During a toast at a wedding, one could quote Neruda to emphasize the joy of shared love and moments.
Perhaps this war will pass like the others which divided us leaving us dead, killing us along with the killers but the shame of this time puts its burning fingers to our faces. Who will erase the ruthlessness hidden in innocent blood?
I want to see the thirst inside the syllables I want to touch the fire in the sound: I want to feel the darkness of the cry. I want words as rough as virgin rocks.” - Verb.
Only do not forget, if I wake up crying it's only because in my dream I'm a lost child hunting through the leaves of the night for your hands.
And here am I, budding among the ruins with only sorrow to bite on, as if weeping were a seed and I the earth's only furrow.
Once more I am the silent one who came out of the distance wrapped in cold rain and bells: I owe to earth's pure death the will to sprout.
I learned about life from life itself, love I learned in a single kiss and could teach no one anything except that I have lived with something in common among men.
You can make yourself happy or miserable - it's the same amount of effort.
Contentment is a wealth that is never exhausted
Man's greatest happiness comes from losing himself for the good of others.
Happiness: We rarely feel it. I would buy it, beg it, steal it, Pay in coins of dripping blood For this one transcendent good.
Only the highway of useful service leads to the city of happiness.
But what is happiness except the simple harmony between a man and the life he leads?
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