Personal relations are the important thing for ever and ever, and not this outer life of telegrams and anger.
E. M. ForsterRead
Most quarrels are inevitable at the time; incredible afterwards.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Disagreements often seem unavoidable in the moment, but in hindsight, they may appear trivial or exaggerated.
E. M. Forster's quote highlights the nature of conflicts and arguments, suggesting that while they may feel significant and unavoidable during the moment they occur, once time has passed, they can often be viewed as inconsequential or exaggerated. This reflection reminds us to take a step back and reassess our emotions and perspectives after a dispute, understanding that time can change the way we perceive conflicts.
Themes
QuarrelsConflictPerspectiveRelationshipsReflectionUnderstanding
In practice
Example use cases
In a motivational speech about handling disputes in relationships.
More from E. M. Forster
All quotes βA poem is true if it hangs together. Information points to something else. A poem points to nothing but itself.
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One must be fond of people and trust them if one is not to make a mess of life.
E. M. ForsterRead
Oxford is Oxford: not a mere receptacle for youth, like Cambridge. Perhaps it wants its inmates to love it rather than to love one another.
E. M. ForsterRead
The fact is we can only love what we know personally. And we cannot know much. In public affairs, in the rebuilding of civilization, something less dramatic and emotional is needed, namely tolerance.
E. M. ForsterRead
One person with passion is better than forty people merely interested.
E. M. ForsterRead
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