How many precious things do we not already possess which others have not - have hardly an idea of! Let us enjoy these, then, and bless God that we are permitted to enjoy them, rather than importune His goodness with vain longings for more.
Interpretation
We often overlook the valuable things we already have in pursuit of more.
In this quote, Jane Welsh Carlyle reflects on the idea that we possess many precious things in our lives that we take for granted while longing for additional blessings. Instead of constantly yearning for more, she encourages us to appreciate and cherish what we already have, recognizing these gifts as blessings rather than focusing on unfulfilled desires.
In practice
In a motivational speech about finding joy in everyday life.
Does not a man physically tremble under the mere look of a wild beast or fellow-man that is stronger than himself? Does not a woman redden all over when she feels her lover's eyes on her? How then should one doubt the mysterious power of one individual over another?
The surest way to get a thing in this life is to be prepared for doing without it, to the exclusion even of hope.
I declare I would rather be a kitten and cry, 'Mew!' than live as I see many of my female acquaintances do, tearing each other's characters to pieces, and wearing out their lives in vanity and vexation of spirit.
One feels as if it could never, never be less. And yet all griefs, when there is no bitterness in them, are soothed down by time.
But what are friends? What is a husband, even, compared with one's Mother? Of her love, one is always so sure! It is the only love that nothing - not even misconduct on our part - can take away from us.
Never does one feel oneself so utterly helpless as in trying to speak comfort for great bereavement.
Men of genius are far more abundant than is supposed. In fact, to appreciate thoroughly the work of what we call genius, is to possess all the genius by which the work was produced.
To be in good moral condition requires at least as much training as to be in good physical condition.
That I be not as those are who spend the day in complaining of headache and the night in drinking the wine which gives the headache!
We ask for what reason our Lord was unwilling to state the time of His coming (cf. Mk. 13:31-32). If we ask it, we shall not find it is owing to ignorance, but to wisdom. For it was not to our advantage to know; in order that we being ignorant of the actual moments of judgment to come, might ever be as it were on guard, and set on the watch-tower of virtue, and so avoid the habits of sin; lest the day of the Lord should come upon us in the midst of our wickedness.
Because he (the Sage) demands no honor, he will never be dishonored.
Violence in any form is a tragic expression of our unmet needs.
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