We must never expect discretion in first love: it is accompanied by such excessive joy that unless the joy is allowed to overflow, it will choke you.
Alexandre DumasRead
Those born to wealth, and who have the means of gratifying every wish, know not what is the real happiness of life, just as those who have been tossed on the stormy waters of the ocean on a few frail planks can alone realize the blessings of fair weather.
Interpretation
What this quote means
True happiness is often understood only by those who have faced significant challenges.
In this quote, Alexandre Dumas suggests that genuine happiness can only be fully appreciated by those who have endured severe hardships. Wealth and comfort may shield individuals from the struggles that ultimately teach the value of tranquility and joy, much like how experiencing a storm at sea allows one to cherish calm weather more profoundly.
Themes
HappinessWealthStruggleUnderstandingLife
In practice
Example use cases
This quote would be a thought-provoking addition to a speech on personal growth.
More from Alexandre Dumas
All quotes →There are two ways of seeing: with the body and with the soul. The body's sight can sometimes forget, but the soul remembers forever.
Alexandre DumasRead
I do not often laugh, sir, as you may perceive by the air of my countenance; but nevertheless, I retain the privilege of laughing when I please.
Alexandre DumasRead
There is neither happiness nor misery in the world; there is only the comparison of one state with another, nothing more. He who has felt the deepest grief is best able to experience supreme happiness.
Alexandre DumasRead
It is the way of weakened minds to see everything through a black cloud. The soul forms its own horizons; your soul is darkened, and consequently the sky of the future appears stormy and unpromising
Alexandre DumasRead
Yet man will never be perfect until he learns to create and destroy; he does know how to destroy, and that is half the battle.
Alexandre DumasRead
Similar quotes
Be Content with what you have; rejoice in the way things are. When you realize there is nothing lacking, the whole world belongs to you.
LaoziRead
I think everyone should go to bed like they have a date at the door.
Karl LagerfeldRead
I HAVE ALWAYS believed that each man makes his own happiness and is responsible for his own problems.
Ray KrocRead
Thus the key to happiness lies not in changing our genetic makeup (which is impossible) and not in changing our circumstances (i.e., seeking wealth or attractiveness or better colleagues, which is usually impractical), but in our daily intentional activities.
Sonja LyubomirskyRead
No one is happy all his life long.
EuripidesRead
The consuming desire of most human beings is deliberately to plant their whole life in the hands of some other person. I would describe this method of searching for happiness as immature. Development of character consists solely in moving toward self-sufficiency.
Quentin CrispRead