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To desire and expect nothing for oneself and to have profound sympathy for others is genuine holiness.
Ivan Turgenev
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Interpretation

What this quote means

True holiness comes from selflessness and empathy toward others.

This quote highlights the essence of genuine holiness as the ability to let go of personal desires and expectations while fostering deep compassion for others. Turgenev suggests that true virtue lies in selflessness and emotional connection with those around us, indicating that holiness is not about strict adherence to rituals but about how we relate to and care for others.

Themes

SelflessnessEmpathyHolinessCompassionAltruism

In practice

Example use cases

In a speech about charity work, one might use this quote to emphasize the importance of selfless giving.

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