To lose one's self in reverie, one must be either very happy, or very unhappy. Reverie is the child of extremes.
Antoine RivarolRead
Man spends his life in reasoning on the past, in complaining of the present, in fearing future.
Interpretation
This quote reflects on how humans tend to dwell on the past, complain about the now, and fear what lies ahead.
Antoine Rivarol's quote highlights a common human tendency to be preoccupied with regrets of the past, dissatisfaction with the current situation, and apprehension about the future. This mindset can lead to a life that is less focused on enjoying the present and making the most of it. The quote serves as a reminder to embrace the present moment and not be consumed by negative thoughts regarding time.
In practice
This quote could be used in a self-help seminar to encourage attendees to focus on the present.
Where belief is painful we are slow to believe.
a person is never entirely holy or entirely sinful.
After a shooting spree, they always want to take the guns away from the people who didn't do it.
Are not there little chapters in everybody's life, that seem to be nothing, and yet affect all the rest of the history?
It's tragic how few people ever 'possess their souls' before they die. 'Nothing is more rare in any man', says Emerson, 'than an act of his own.' It is quite true. Most people are other people. Their thoughts are someone else's opinions, their life is a mimicry, their passions a quotation.
Sentimentalism is the working off on yourself of feelings you haven't really got.
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