Prejudices are what fools use for reason.
VoltaireRead
Life is thickly sown with thorns. I know no other remedy than to pass rapidly over them. The longer we dwell on our misfortunes the greater is their power to harm us.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Life is full of challenges, and dwelling on them only increases their impact.
Voltaire's quote reflects a philosophical view on the nature of life and suffering. He suggests that life is inherently filled with difficulties, represented by 'thorns,' but emphasizes the importance of moving past these challenges quickly. By doing so, we diminish their ability to cause harm and suffering in our lives. It points to the idea that fixation on misfortunes can amplify their negative effects, urging individuals to adopt a forward-thinking approach to life's adversities.
Themes
LifeChallengesSufferingRemedyMisfortunes
In practice
Example use cases
During a motivational speech on overcoming adversity, this quote can inspire resilience.
More from Voltaire
All quotes →He was a great patriot, a humanitarian, a loyal friend; provided, of course, he really is dead.
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It is dangerous to be right in matters where established men are wrong.
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It is not sufficient to see and to know the beauty of a work. We must feel and be affected by it.
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We are all full of weakness and errors; let us mutually pardon each other our follies - it is the first law of nature.
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It is better to risk saving a guilty man than to condemn an innocent one.
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