There rise authors now and then, who seem proof against the mutability of language, because they have rooted themselves in the unchanging principles of human nature.
Washington IrvingRead
Jealous people poison their own banquet and then eat it
Interpretation
What this quote means
Jealousy harms the jealous individual more than it affects others.
This quote by Washington Irving suggests that jealousy is self-destructive. When individuals allow envy to control their emotions, they end up damaging their own happiness and fulfillment, much like poisoning a feast they themselves must eat from. This serves as a reminder that negative feelings can lead to personal harm rather than influencing others positively.
Themes
JealousyEnvySelf-DestructionWisdomNegative Feelings
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be shared during a motivational speech about overcoming negative emotions.
More from Washington Irving
All quotes βThere is a sacredness in tears. They are not the mark of weakness, but of power. They speak more eloquently than ten thousand tongues. They are the messengers of overwhelming grief, of deep contrition, and of unspeakable love.
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Sweet is the memory of distant friends! Like the mellow rays of the departing sun, it falls tenderly, yet sadly, on the heart.
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Love is never lost. If not reciprocated, it will flow back and soften and purify the heart.
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The easiest thing to do, whenever you fail, is to put yourself down by blaming your lack of ability for your misfortunes.
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If I can, by a lucky chance, in these uneasy days, rub out one wrinkle from the brow of care, or beguile the heavy heart of one moment of sadness; if I can, how and then, prompt a happier view of human nature, and make my reader more in good humor with his fellow-beings and himself, surely, I shall not have written in vain.
Washington IrvingRead
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