The experience gathered from books, though often valuable, is but the nature of learning; whereas the experience gained from actual life is one of the nature of wisdom.
Samuel SmilesRead
I endeavor to be wise when I cannot be merry, easy when I cannot be glad, content with what cannot be mended, and patient when there be no redress.
Interpretation
The quote emphasizes the importance of accepting and adapting to difficult situations with grace and patience.
In this quote, Elizabeth Montagu speaks to the virtues of wisdom, contentment, and patience in the face of adversity. She suggests that while we may not always be able to feel joy or happiness, we can strive to maintain a level of understanding and acceptance of our circumstances. The ability to find peace in our state of being, even during tough times, highlights the virtue of resilience and the wisdom found in acceptance.
In practice
In a speech about overcoming challenges, one might use this quote to inspire resilience.
The experience gathered from books, though often valuable, is but the nature of learning; whereas the experience gained from actual life is one of the nature of wisdom.
Additional problems are the offspring of poor solutions.
Just because something didn't work out your way, or somebody disappointed you, that does not change who you are.
Do as little harm to others as you can; make any sacrifice for your true friends; be responsible for yourself and ask nothing of others; and grab all the fun you can. Don't give much thought to yesterday, don't worry about tomorrow, live in the moment, and trust that your existence has meaning even when the world seems to be all blind chance and chaos. When life lands a hammer blow in your face, do your best to respond to the hammer as if it had been a cream pie.
Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day; teach a man to fish and he will eat for a lifetime; give a man religion and he will die praying for a fish.
Perfection is a stick with which to beat the possible.
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