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Men often bear little grievances with less courage than they do large misfortunes.
Aesop
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Interpretation

What this quote means

People find it easier to cope with major challenges than with small annoyances.

Aesop's quote highlights the human tendency to be more affected by minor grievances than by significant hardships. It suggests that everyday irritations can weigh heavily on individuals, often consuming more emotional energy than larger problems, which might be confronted with greater resilience and fortitude.

Themes

CourageGrievancesMisfortunesStressChallenges

In practice

Example use cases

In a discussion about coping strategies, this quote could be used to illustrate how we often let small issues overwhelm us.

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Slow but steady wins the race.
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We often despise what is most useful to us.
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We hang the petty thieves and appoint the great ones to public office.
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If you are a friend, why do you bite me so hard? If an enemy, why do you fawn on me?
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The unhappy derive comfort from the misfortunes of others.
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