The laws of changeless justice bind oppressor and oppressed; and, close as sin and suffering joined we march to fate abreast.
John Greenleaf WhittierRead
For all sad words of tongue and pen, The saddest are these, 'It might have been'.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Regrets about missed opportunities often weigh more heavily than the sadness of present circumstances.
This quote highlights the deep sorrow that stems from reflecting on lost possibilities and regrets rather than the sadness of current experiences. It emphasizes that the most painful thoughts are not necessarily from failures or losses but from imagining what could have been, which elicits a profound sense of loss and despair.
Themes
RegretOpportunityLossReflectionSadness
In practice
Example use cases
During a graduation speech to remind students to seize opportunities.
More from John Greenleaf Whittier
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the joy that you give to others is the joy that comes back to you
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Before me, even as behind, God is, and all is well.
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I know not where His islands lift Their fronded palms in air; I only know I cannot drift Beyond His love and care.
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I'll lift you and you lift me, and we'll both ascend together.
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