We shall say without hesitation that the atheist who is moved by love is moved by the Spirit of God; an atheist who lives by love is saved by his faith in the God whose existence (under that name) he denies.
William TempleRead
There cannot live a more unhappy creature than an ill-natured old man, who is neither capable of receiving pleasures, nor sensible of conferring them on others.
Interpretation
What this quote means
An ill-natured old man is unable to find joy or share it with others, resulting in a profoundly unhappy existence.
This quote reflects the profound unhappiness that can accompany a negative disposition, particularly in old age. It suggests that those who are ill-tempered are not only deprived of personal joy and pleasure but also lack the ability to bring happiness to those around them, leading to a life filled with dissatisfaction and isolation.
Themes
UnhappinessOld AgeIll-NaturedJoyPleasure
In practice
Example use cases
This quote could be shared during a discussion about the importance of maintaining a positive attitude throughout life.
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Who ever converses among old books will be hard to please among the new.
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