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There is no suffering, except remorse, so fatal as that…

“There is no suffering, except remorse, so fatal as that which comes from the consciousness of strangled ambition, blasted hope, stifled aspiration. To be conscious that we possess decided ability for some particular calling, and to be compelled by circumstances, year after year, to be chained to…” quote by Orison Swett Marden
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““There is no suffering, except remorse, so fatal as that which comes from the consciousness of strangled ambition, blasted hope, stifled aspiration. To be conscious that we possess decided ability for some particular calling, and to be compelled by circumstances, year after year, to be chained to drudgery which the heart loathes, requires supreme courage.””

Orison Swett Marden

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Realizing that unfulfilled ambition and suppressed dreams cause deep suffering, and confronting drudgery requires great bravery.

In simple terms: Unrealized dreams cause pain; facing them needs courage.

Key Takeaway

Acknowledge your calling and act despite constraints.

Themes

courage ambition purpose suffering

Mood

determined reflective

Type

philosophical motivational

When to use this quote

  • career stagnation
  • creative block
  • unfulfilling jobs
  • personal crisis

Key Concepts

existential dread self‑actualization

Questions to Reflect On

  • What calling have you suppressed?
  • How can you pursue it within your constraints?
A Different Perspective

Even with courage, external limits may still prevent fulfillment.

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