The deepest quality of a work of art will always be the quality of the mind of the producer...No good novel will ever proceed from a superficial mind.
Henry JamesRead
You must save what you can of your life; you musn't lose it all simply because you've lost a part.
Interpretation
Cherish and preserve what you have left in life after experiencing loss.
Henry James's quote speaks to the importance of resilience in the face of loss. It emphasizes that while losing a part of your life can be painful, it is crucial to focus on preserving the remaining aspects of your existence rather than succumbing to despair. This perspective encourages individuals to find strength and continue living fully, even after experiencing setbacks.
In practice
Sharing this quote during a support group meeting for those dealing with grief.
The deepest quality of a work of art will always be the quality of the mind of the producer...No good novel will ever proceed from a superficial mind.
What is character but the determination of incident? What is incident but the illustration of character?
Never say you know the last word about any human heart.
I adore adverbs; they are the only qualifications I really much respect.
We care what happens to people only in proportion as we know what people are.
A swift carriage, of a dark night, rattling with four horses over roads that one can’t see--that’s my idea of happiness.
... And the boy whose hair remained the color of lemons forever.
Care-charmer Sleep, son of the sable Night, Brother to Death, in silent darkness born, Relieve my languish and restore the light; With dark forgetting of my care return. And let the day be time enough to mourn The shipwreck of my ill adventured youth: Let waking eyes suffice to wail their scorn Without the torment of the night's untruth.
If time were a bolt of cloth,” said Om, “I would cut out all the bad parts. Snip out the scary nights and stitch together the good parts, to make time bearable. Then I could wear it like a coat, always live happily.
Dear, don't think of getting out of bed yet. I've always suspected that early rising in early life makes one nervous.
We spend precious hours fearing the inevitable. It would be wise to use that time adoring our families, cherishing our friends and living our lives.
As an improviser, I always find it jarring when I meet someone in real life whose first answer is no. “No, we can’t do that.” “No, that’s not in the budget.” “No, I will not hold your hand for a dollar.” What kind of way is that to live?
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