Misery is manifold. The wretchedness of earth is…
““Misery is manifold. The wretchedness of earth is multiform. Overreaching the wide horizon as the rainbow, its hues are as various as the hues of that arch, --as distinct too, yet as intimately blended. Overreaching the wide horizon as the rainbow! How is it that from beauty I have derived a type of unloveliness? --from the covenant of peace a simile of sorrow? But as, in ethics, evil is a consequence of good, so, in fact, out of joy is sorrow born. Either the memory of past bliss is the anguish of to-day, or the agonies which are have their origin in the ecstasies which might have been.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Human sorrow intertwines with joy, creating a complex blend of emotions that reflect both past bliss and present pain.
In simple terms: Joy and sorrow mix, causing mixed feelings.
Key Takeaway
Accept that happiness can bring sadness.
Themes
emotion
dualities
philosophy
Mood
melancholic
reflective
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- grief counseling
- artistic creation
- personal reflection
- spiritual practice
Key Concepts
existentialism
psychology
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you balance joy and grief?
- Can pain inspire growth?
A Different Perspective
Sorrow may dominate, obscuring joy.