QuoteProject
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.
William Temple
ShareWTF𝕏

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.

More from William Temple

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
The most influential of all educational factors is the conversation in a child's home.
William TempleRead
Who ever converses among old books will be hard to please among the new.
William TempleRead

Similar quotes

Give unto me, made lowly wise, The spirit of self-sacrifice; The confidence of reason give, And in the light of truth thy bondman let me live!
William WordsworthRead
Compassion is not a relationship between the healer and the wounded. It's a relationship between equals. Only when we know our own darkness well can we be present with the darkness of others. Compassion becomes real when we recognize our shared humanity.
Pema ChodronRead
I was born to make mistakes, not to fake perfection
DrakeRead
The grateful person fears no court or judge, no sentence or executioner, but what he carries about him in his own breast: and being still the most severe exactor of himself, not only confesses but proclaims his debts.
Robert SouthRead
Where thou art Obliged to speak, be sure speak the Truth: For Equivocation is half way to Lying, as Lying, the whole way to Hell.
William PennRead
Self-acceptance is my refusal to be in an adversarial relationship to myself.
Nathaniel BrandenRead

A little wisdom, now and then

Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.