Surely everyone is aware of the divine pleasures which attend a wintry fireside; candles at four o'clock, warm hearthrugs, tea, a fair tea-maker, shutters closed, curtains flowing in ample draperies to the floor, whilst the wind and rain are raging audibly without.
Interpretation
The quote celebrates the cozy and comforting pleasures of being indoors during a winter storm.
In this quote, Thomas De Quincey highlights the joy and warmth that one can experience while safely indoors during harsh winter weather. The imagery of a warm fireside, candles, and a nurturing atmosphere contrasts sharply with the wildness of the external elements, reminding us of the simple pleasures of home and companionship.
In practice
During a holiday gathering, one could recite this quote to evoke a sense of comfort and warmth.
But my way of writing is rather to think aloud, and follow my own humours, than much to consider who is listening to me; and, if I stop to consider what is proper to be said to this or that person, I shall soon come to doubt whether any part at all is proper.
The mere understanding, however useful and indispensable, is the meanest faculty in the human mind and the most to be distrusted.
Nobody will laugh long who deals much with opium: its pleasures even are of a grave and solemn complexion.
I stood checked for a moment - awe, not fear, fell upon me - and whist I stood, a solemn wind began to blow, the most mournful that ever ear heard. Mournful! That is saying nothing. It was a wind that had swept the fields of mortality for a hundred centuries.
Thou hast the keys of Paradise, oh, just, subtle, and mighty opium!
Flowers that are so pathetic in their beauty, frail as the clouds, and in their coloring as gorgeous as the heavens, had through thousands of years been the heritage of children - honored as the jewelry of God.
If you don't wake up and have your own thing, whether it's writing or reading or traveling or acting or dancing or singing or being a mother or a father, something that drives you, then it's all worth nothing. One of the key elements in happiness is purpose.
Happiness is mostly a by-product of doing what makes us feel fulfilled.
To be kind, honest and have positive thoughts; to forgive those who harm us and treat everyone as a friend; to help those who are suffering and never to consider ourselves superior to anyone else: even if this advice seems rather simplistic, make the effort of seeing whether by following it you can find greater happiness.
It dances today, my heart, _x000D_ like a peacock it dances, _x000D_ it dances. _x000D_ It sports a mosaic of passions like a peacock’s tail, _x000D_ It soars to the sky with delight, it quests, _x000D_ Oh wildly, it dances today, my heart, _x000D_ like a peacock it dances.
Many people think excitement is happiness.... But when you are excited you are not peaceful. True happiness is based on peace.
The happy man only feels at ease because the unhappy bear their burden in silence. Without this silence, happiness would be impossible.
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