Suffering has been stronger than all other teaching, and has taught me to understand what your heart used to be. I have been bent and broken, but - I hope - into a better shape.
Interpretation
Suffering can lead to deeper understanding and personal growth.
This quote by Charles Dickens reflects on the transformative power of suffering. It suggests that through our struggles and pain, we gain valuable insights into the human experience and can emerge from our hardships stronger and more enlightened, shaped into a better version of ourselves despite the difficulties we have faced.
In practice
This quote can be shared during a motivational speech to inspire resilience in challenging times.
I recollected one story there was in the village, how that on a certain night in the year (it might be that very night for anything I knew), all the dead people came out of the ground and sat at the heads of their own graves till morning.
A silent look of affection and regard when all other eyes are turned coldly away-the consciousness that we possess the sympathy and affection of one being when all others have deserted us-is a hold, a stay, a comfort, in the deepest affliction, which no wealth could purchase, or power bestow.
Heaven knows we need never be ashamed of our tears, for they are rain upon the blinding dust of earth, overlying our hard hearts. I was better after I had cried, than before--more sorry, more aware of my own ingratitude, more gentle.
There are not a few among the disciples of charity who require, in their vocation, scarcely less excitement than the votaries of pleasure in theirs.
You might, from your appearance, be the wife of Lucifer,” said Miss Pross, in her breathing. “Nevertheless, you shall not get the better of me. I am an Englishwoman.
Christmas is a poor excuse every 25th of December to pick a man's pockets.
Be above it! Make the world serve your purpose, but do not serve it.
No man can be a pure specialist without being in the strict sense an idiot.
The habits of a vigorous mind are born in contending with difficulties.
Never lie under any circumstances.
But somewhere within each of us, buried at varying depths depending on the age and degree of neglect or abuse, shame or coercion we endured, there is a resistant, daydreaming, rebellious, creative, unique child -- a true self who is waiting.
You are who you associate with. Look around at your five closest friends and that's who you are. If you don't want to be that person, you know what you gotta do.
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