A word is not the same with one writer as with another. One tears it from his guts. The other pulls it out of his overcoat pocket.
Charles PeguyRead
Life holds only one tragedy, ultimately: not to have been a saint.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote reflects on the significance of striving to be virtuous and morally upright.
Charles Peguy's quote conveys the idea that the greatest tragedy in life is not about facing external hardships or failures, but rather failing to live a life of virtue and moral excellence. It emphasizes the importance of aspiring to be a 'saint' β a person who embodies goodness, compassion, and integrity β as a measure of a meaningful and fulfilling life.
Themes
TragedyVirtueMoralitySaintLifeMeaning
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used in a motivational speech about living a purposeful life.
More from Charles Peguy
All quotes βI prefer a saint with faults to a sinner with none.
Charles PeguyRead
Any father whose son raises his hand against him is guilty of having produced a son who raised his hand against him.
Charles PeguyRead
Love is rarer than genius itself. And friendship is rarer than love.
Charles PeguyRead
Similar quotes
Enough! we're tired, my heart and I. We sit beside the headstone thus, And wish that name were carved for us. The moss reprints more tenderly The hard types of the mason's knife, As Heaven's sweet life renews earth's life With which we're tired, my heart and I .... In this abundant earth no doubt Is little room for things worn out: Disdain them, break them, throw them by! And if before the days grew rough We once were loved, used, - well enough, I think, we've fared, my heart and I.
Elizabeth Barrett BrowningRead
About the time we can make the ends meet, somebody moves the ends.
Herbert HooverRead
When you're 40, you can't ride the fence anymore. You gotta make definite decisions about your life.
Dolly PartonRead
It's much easier for me to make major life, multi-million dollar decisions, than it is to decide on a carpet for my front porch. That's the truth.
Oprah WinfreyRead
If you want the beautiful moments to shine, you have to contrast that with dark and gruesome moments. That's the way life is.
Tony DiterlizziRead
Rosemary felt that this swim would become the typical one of her life, the one that would always pop up in her memory at the mention of swimming.
F. Scott FitzgeraldRead