It is well known to all great men, that by conferring an obligation they do not always procure a friend, but are certain of creating many enemies.
Henry FieldingRead
No one hath seen beauty in its highest lustre who hath never seen it in distress.
Interpretation
What this quote means
True beauty is most appreciated after experiencing hardship or distress.
Henry Fielding's quote suggests that a full understanding and appreciation of beauty requires the experience of its contrast—distress. It implies that without recognizing the challenges or trials that beauty can face, one cannot fully comprehend its value or significance. This highlights the relationship between adversity and the deeper appreciation of life's more beautiful moments.
Themes
BeautyDistressAppreciationAdversityLife
In practice
Example use cases
In a motivational speech about overcoming challenges.
More from Henry Fielding
All quotes →It is not enough that your designs, nay that your actions, are intrinsically good, you must take care they shall appear so.
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Let no man be sorry he has done good, because others concerned with him have done evil! If a man has acted right, he has done well, though along; if wrong, the sanction of all mankind will not justify him.
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A newspaper consists of just the same number of words, whether there be any news in it or not.
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He grew weary of this condescension, and began to treat the opinions of his wife with that haughtiuess and insolence, which none but those who deserve some contempt themselves can bestow, and those only who deserve no contempt can bear.
Henry FieldingRead
Now in reality, the world has paid too great a compliment to critics, and has imagined them to be men of much greater profundity than they really are.
Henry FieldingRead
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