American politics is a struggle, not of men but of forces. The men become every year more and more creatures of force, massed about central power houses.
Henry AdamsRead
We combat obstacles in order to get repose, and when got, the repose is insupportable.
Interpretation
What this quote means
We strive to overcome challenges for peace, yet once we achieve it, we may find it difficult to endure.
This quote reflects on the irony of human nature where we work hard to overcome obstacles in life to achieve a state of rest or peace. However, once we reach that peaceful state, we often find it brings its own set of struggles, leading to the realization that continuous striving may be preferable to the discomfort of inactivity.
Themes
ObstaclesReposeStrugglePeaceIronies
In practice
Example use cases
In a motivational speech about perseverance, one could use this quote to illustrate the challenges of achieving personal peace.
More from Henry Adams
All quotes βOf all studies, the one he would rather have avoided was that of his own mind. He knew no tragedy so heartrending as introspection.
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Simplicity is the most deceitful mistress that ever betrayed man.
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Church and State, Soul and Body, God and Man, are all one at Mont Saint Michel, and the business of all is to fight, each in his own way, or to stand guard for each other.
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The American President resembles the commander of a ship at sea. He must have a helm to grasp, a course to steer, a port to seek.
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The effect of power and publicity on all men is the aggravation of self, a sort of tumor that ends by killing the victim's sympathies.
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