Weather is a literary specialty, and no untrained hand can turn out a good article on it
Mark TwainRead
It is a time when one’s spirit is subdued and sad, one knows not why; when the past seems a storm-swept desolation, life a vanity and a burden, and the future but a way to death. It is a time when one is filled with vague longings; when one dreams of flight to peaceful islands in the remote solitudes of the sea, or folds his hands and says, What is the use of struggling, and toiling and worrying any more? let us give it all up.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote reflects a deep sense of melancholy and existential questioning about life and its struggles.
Mark Twain captures the essence of human despair and the feelings that accompany moments of profound sadness. He highlights a state of mind where one feels overwhelmed by life's challenges, leading to a longing for escape and introspection about the purpose of struggle. This sentiment resonates with anyone who has faced difficult times, expressing a universal battle with feelings of futility and the search for solace.
Themes
SadnessStruggleExistentialismReflectionDespair
In practice
Example use cases
During a motivational speech about overcoming adversity, you could use this quote to illustrate the common feeling of being overwhelmed by life's challenges.
More from Mark Twain
All quotes →The easy part of being an artist is figuring out the message that everyone else is ready to hear. The hard part is waiting for the proper lull to make the announcement.
Mark TwainRead
You can't reason with your heart; it has its own laws, and thumps about things which the intellect scorns.
Mark TwainRead
To be good is noble; but to show others how to be good is nobler and no trouble.
Mark TwainRead
Name the greatest of all inventors. Accident.
Mark TwainRead
In Paris they just simply opened their eyes and stared when we spoke to them in French! We never did succeed in making those idiots understand their own language.
Mark TwainRead
Similar quotes
For though a man should be a complete unbeliever in the being of gods; if he also has a native uprightness of temper, such persons will detest evil in men; their repugnance to wrong disinclines them to commit wrongful acts; they shun the unrighteous and are drawn to the upright.
PlatoRead
Chaos is inherent in all compounded things. Strive on with diligence.
Gautama BuddhaRead
It is much more difficult to judge oneself than to judge others.
Antoine De Saint-ExuperyRead
It doesn't really matter whether you grip the arms of the dentist's chair or let your hands lie in your lap. The drill drills on.
C. S. LewisRead
Ah! sinner, remember this, there is no way on earth effectually to be rid of the guilt, filth, and power of sin, but by believing in a Saviour. It is not resolving, it is not complaining, it is not mourning, but believing, that will make thee divinely victorious over that body of sin that to this day is too strong for thee, and that will certainly be thy ruin, if it be not ruined by a hand of faith.
Thomas BrooksRead
It was at that moment he realized that his spirit was truly human once more. For he no longer remembered how to be alone without being lonely.
Neal ShustermanRead