Nobody holds a good opinion of a man who has a low opinion of himself.
Anthony TrollopeRead
But she knew this,—that it was necessary for her happiness that she should devote herself to some one. All the elegancies and outward charms of life were delightful, if only they could be used as the means to some end. As an end themselves they were nothing.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Happiness is found in devotion to others rather than in superficial pleasures.
In this quote, Anthony Trollope emphasizes the importance of dedicating oneself to others for true happiness. He suggests that while life may offer many superficial pleasures and beauties, these are meaningless unless they serve a greater purpose or goal, such as love, service, or personal connection.
Themes
HappinessDevotionPurposeSelflessnessMeaning
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be shared during a speech on the importance of relationships at a family gathering.
More from Anthony Trollope
All quotes →Romance is very pretty in novels, but the romance of a life is always a melancholy matter. They are most happy who have no story to tell.
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There is no happiness in love, except at the end of an English novel.
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That I can read and be happy while I am reading, is a great blessing.
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A man's love, till it has been chastened and fastened by the feeling of duty which marriage brings with it, is instigated mainly by the difficulty of pursuit.
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Nothing surely is as potent as a law that may not be disobeyed. It has the force of the water drop that hollows the stone. A small dainty task, if it be really daily, will beat the labours of a spasmodic Hercules.
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