Strictly speaking, there is but one real evil: I mean…
“Strictly speaking, there is but one real evil: I mean acute pain. All other complaints are so considerably diminished by time that it is plain the grief is owing to our passion, since the sensation of it vanishes when that is over.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Acute pain is the sole true evil; other sufferings lessen over time, revealing that grief stems from passion which fades.
In simple terms: Pain is the only real evil.
Key Takeaway
Recognize pain’s transience.
Themes
pain
grief
time
passion
Mood
contemplative
reflective
Type
philosophical
literary
When to use this quote
- medical recovery
- grief counseling
- personal loss
- meditation
Key Concepts
philosophy of suffering
temporal relief
human emotion
Questions to Reflect On
- How does time alter your view of suffering?
- Can passion be managed to reduce grief?
A Different Perspective
Pain may dominate perception despite other hardships.